“I always struggled to find swimsuits that were flattering and fit well across the hips, so I made my own. My grandma taught me how to sew and I started designing my own clothes when I was young. I sold pillows in middle schools and purses in high school. I have always been an entrepreneur. It is an incredible feeling to make someone look good and watch them glow. It is worth the money I have put into this and the late nights. I attended Mobile Fashion Week and fell in love with the designers and realized I could do this. I want to have my own Mermania swimsuit line and clothes with store along the Coast. I love mermaids. My grandma made us costumes with sparkly tube skirts but never put the fins on them and we flopped around. “The Little Mermaid” was my favorite Disney movie and I love the ocean. My family is very creative and they help me in anything I do. I was 12 years old and over 100 purses one weekend at the Pecan Festival. We had a family sweatshop making them in the garage and my grandma came in from Tampa to help. I have always had their support. It is not if I can, but how I can.”