BizWorld launched its winter cohort of the exciting, life-changing YES! Program where high potential young entrepreneurs create and develop thriving businesses. YES! builds confidence and breaks down barriers to propel youth businesses to success.

We had a chance to interview TLeggings’ CEO, Bella Lin, who is a determined and ambitious 14-year old who wants to provide high-quality leggings to customers at reasonable prices. We asked Bella some questions so we could take a peek into her ideas on legging innovations and her desire to provide affordable activewear to all.

1) Tell me a little bit about your company and what interested you in starting TLeggings?

My company is an e-commerce startup focused on bringing customers high-quality items at affordable and realistic prices. I started TLeggings when I realized that sportswear is often so expensive and unfairly priced. I was motivated through my own personal experience, and I now know that many others also struggle with balancing quality affordability when shopping.

2) What do you hope to learn and get out of the YES! Program?

I would just love to hear new things and be asked questions from different perspectives. I think it’s awesome that I get to meet many other young entrepreneurs and I would love to try out their products! Learning from professionals of different backgrounds is also very important to me, and I think that speaking with them can maybe give me a wider view of the ‘adult world’ and how they think people react to different things.

3) Can you share a fun fact with us about yourself?

A fun fact about myself is that I can guess if you’re a dog person or a cat person! Another fact is that I’m actually neither; I would consider myself a guinea pig person 🙂

4) What do you feel has helped you with launching TLeggings?

I think that support from peers and also just wanting to improve my company constantly helps me keep going. Things like always thinking about how to run things more smoothly, or just suddenly thinking about checking on things like shipping helps keep the momentum going. My parents are constantly helping me out when I get stuck or even lose motivation for a bit.

5) What is your superpower? And how has it guided you in developing your business?

My superpower would probably be the fact that I am an extrovert and a people person. I find it easy to reach out for help, and talking to new people or individuals within my company comes naturally. It has specifically helped me in the YES! program as well, because I find it easier to interact with new people that I am constantly talking to in this program.

Bravo on your success with TLeggings so far, Bella! The retail and activewear market is a competitive one, so we look forward to seeing how TLeggings continues to grow and thrive through your YES! Program learnings and connections. Good luck to you!

The YES! Winter Cohort opened on January 25th and is scheduled to run until April 8th, 2021. The summer cohort application deadline is May 14th and is scheduled to run until August 27th, 2021. Both cohorts will have the opportunity to participate in the YES! Demo Day and pitch for start-up investment scheduled on September 17, 2021.