This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Tiffany Myers and her daughter, Sydney Myers, founder of Glimmer Wish. It has been edited for length and clarity.
When my daughters were younger, I was incredibly sick. I remember driving and feeling so short of breath that I was worried I would crash the car with my babies in the back. It was terrifying to feel like my body was failing. It took seven years to understand why: I had Lyme disease.
After the diagnosis, I changed everything in our lives, from the food we ate to the cleaning products we used. My daughter Sydney was into beauty products and makeup, but I insisted she use only clean products. She hated that the options I offered smelled like tea tree oil or lavender. Those weren’t fun for her at all.
When Sydney was 10, she came up with the idea for a fun, whimsical beauty line that met my stringent safety standards. That was the start of Glimmer Wish.
I learned about manufacturing and ingredients to support Sydney
My husband, Byron, is an experienced entrepreneur. He founded a med tech company and grew it over 20 years. So, when Sydney came up with her idea, I encouraged her to talk with her dad. He told her that if she made a business plan, he would help make Glimmer Wish into a business.
I started learning even more about product ingredients and manufacturing. Sydney drew the bottles that she wanted: a unicorn and a mermaid. The shapes weren’t straightforward, and I had to do a lot of work to find a manufacturer that would create them.
While Sydney spearheaded the creative side — like thinking about fragrances — we worked together on creating a list of safe, nontoxic ingredients. It was a combination of art and science.
Remote school allows the whole family to be involved in the business
In 2020, like lots of families, we moved to a more rural area. Sydney was in 6th grade at the time, and we enrolled her (and our younger daughter, Audrey) in the Laurel Springs School, which is fully online.
At the time, I liked that the girls had access to high-quality education. As we’ve grown Glimmer Wish, having a flexible education has allowed Sydney to attend trade shows and other business meetings. Sydney often does schoolwork in the mornings and then has the afternoons and evenings to work on Glimmer Wish.
In 2021, Byron left his company. It wasn’t part of our plan, but it changed everything for Glimmer Wish. When he was thinking about what to do next, I urged him to consider working with Sydney. He said, “I’m going to go from med tech to mermaids?”
Taking that leap created a fantastic dynamic. Today, Byron is the CEO, which makes things easier from a legal standpoint, since Sydney is a minor. I’m the chief creative officer, and Sydney wears the title of founder. Our younger daughter, Audrey, also helps with the company.
I was terrified of going on TV with Sydney
Byron and Sydney have always loved the show Shark Tank. Last summer the three of us were on the show. For me, it was terrifying, but for them it was a dream come true. We signed a deal with Lori Greiner and Kendra Scott, who paid $200,000 for a 20% stake in the Glimmer Wish (plus, a royalty until that $200,000 is repaid). I love knowing that Sydney has these powerhouse women on her team.
For me, this whole journey has been sacred ground. It’s precious to have my girls and my husband at home, working together on a business. Glimmer Wish is already a success in my eyes because we’re giving kids products they love, and that don’t compromise their health.
I’m treasuring these moments, and just in awe of what a powerhouse Sydney is. She’s shown our family that hope can prevail. Even when we faced our biggest challenge — my Lyme diagnosis — we were still able to make our dreams come true by working together as a family.
Read the full article here
