We recently connected with Aaliyah Tollerson and have shared our conversation below.

Aaliyah , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the most important things we can do as business owners is ensure that our customers feel appreciated. What’s something you’ve done or seen a business owner do to help a customer feel valued?

Our company has made a commitment to give back to our community at least twice a year. We would select a school/church to donate bottles of juice to help support their events. We have taken our profits along with collecting various items to distribute within different organizations. My favorite is when we make care packages for kids.

Through the years, we have donated toys, socks and personal hygiene kits.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I have always been an inquisitive kid that asked questions of how and why until I received an answer that satisfies my curiosity.

I came up with this juice idea when I was about 5 1/2 years old.

We were lounging around at home when I went to my family and said I wanted to be a veterinarian. My family advised me it takes an enormous amount of money and a lot of schooling. I looked at them and said, “Well, I must get a job now because I am already in school.”

A few days later, I was drinking a juice box and said, “I would like to make lemonade juices.”

Not long after, I came up with an idea. I asked my family to purchase a few items from the store. We put our minds together to present you with “Liyah’s Juice Bar. ”

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Being 9 years old and a business owner, was a big quick learning curve for me. Once merchandises were sold, I thought the profits was mine to keep. I learned each dollar made was accounted for to invest back into my business. Learning things like advertising expenses, opening bank accounts, purchasing supplies and renting space was a major eye opener for me. Now I am understanding what is essential to managing your own business.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Starting a new business and making our company name obtainable to the public, Facebook is one of the major advertising platform while building our brand. We also branched out by hosting and attending popup events throughout the Low Country. We also were able to land great deals at our local shopping malls and outlets. With each one of these platforms, we were able to serve our consumers in different affairs which boost our sales by 20% or more at each event.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Liyah bar
• Facebook: Liyah Bar

Image Credits
To my team, Stacy Coakley ( Grandmother ) who helped me started my bussiness. Shanda coakley (aunt) who helped promoted my bussiness. Raven Capers (mom who helped with marketing