The global licensing community is powered by an incredible group of professionals whose diverse backgrounds and creative energy drive innovation and excellence. Each week we profile one of these professionals in this ongoing series.

How did you get into licensing (or how did licensing find you)?
I invented GaBBY Bows—the first anti-slip double-face, double-snap girls’ hair barrette—with my mom when I was seven years old. We have three patents on it and were looking for ways to maximize our intellectual property. My mom started researching licensing and reaching out to potential partners. One of our business coaches suggested we attend the 2023 Licensing Expo in Las Vegas. We exhibited, continued to work on developing licensing partnerships, and signed four licensing deals before the end of the year.

What’s a “typical” day in your current position?
I’m a student first, so my typical day starts with high school. I’m taking five AP classes, maintaining all As, and am very involved with extracurricular activities. After my homework and any afterschool meetings or practices, my focus is our business. I head to our headquarters to fill online orders, write handwritten thank you notes to customers, create content, do inventory, and whatever else needs to be done.

What’s your biggest personal or professional accomplishment?
My biggest accomplishment has been helping 50 girls in 16 states start their own businesses through our Mommy and Me Entrepreneurship Academy.

What are the most significant trends or changes that you’ve seen in the business in recent years?
The most significant trends we have seen is the power of going viral and the growing platforms of influencers.

What keeps you up at night? What’s your biggest challenge these days?
Access to capital to move from development to manufacturing for our licensing deals is a challenge these days.

In your opinion, what is the top skill every licensing executive should have in order to succeed?
The top skill every executive should have is the resilience to keep trying no matter what obstacles get in their way.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received, or what’s your favorite quote?
My favorite quote is one I came up with, “NO is just an abbreviation for Next Opportunity.”

What is your favorite licensing deal of all time? (It doesn’t have to be one that was signed by you.)
My licensing deal with Serena Williams’ doll Qai Qai is my favorite. We are working with Invisible Universe to release a line of hair accessories, including Qai Qai GaBBY Bows. Our first accessory—butterfly clips—launched last month and it’s been so cool working on products and content.

If you weren’t in licensing, what would you be doing now?
I’d be focusing more of my attention to my senior year of high school next year and my college application and decision process. I’m spending a lot of time doing that now, but I would be spending more time on it.

The last licensed product I bought was…
A Barbie T-shirt.