Bee Fearless: Dream Like a Kid

Gr 5-8–Teen entrepreneur Ulmer shares her story and the best business strategies for success. At the age of four, she was stung by two different bees in the span of two weeks. As a result, Ulmer developed a fear of the insect. Her parents encouraged her to conquer her bee-related anxiety through knowledge. After learning that the bees were disappearing at an astonishing rate, she decided to sell lemonade to raise funds to save them. Now, the 15-year-old Austin, TX, resident is the director of Me & the Bees, a multimillion-dollar enterprise. Her memoir charts her rise and offers useful tips for other young people looking to make an impact in their neighborhood or the wider world. In the introduction, Ulmer notes, “The things that I’ve learned about what makes a great entrepreneur are qualities that come naturally to kids.” This thesis is effectively supported by examples from her personal and professional growth. Ulmer emphasizes what she wants to share with other kids: identify a problem, research it, and then solve the issue in a way that incites one’s passion.