Emily and Julianne take in some sun in their hometown of Los Angeles, California.

Emi-Jay: A World of Hair Ties and Headbands

by Sara Rowe

Eighth graders Emily and Julianne wanted to find hair accessories that were tasteful, unique, and affordable. When they couldn't find what they were looking for, they decided to create some themselves. They ended up with the sleek, colorful hair-ties that they now sell through their business, Emi-Jay. What's unique about these hair ties is that they won't snap, stretch, or leave dents in your hair...and they also double as bracelets!

The business began with a lot of ideas. At first, Emily and Julianne weren't sure which products their customers would want, and which ones would be the easiest to mass produce so they could keep up with demand. Although they originally wanted to create hair clips and headbands, they decided to start with hair ties. Their ties were simple to create, but different than anything on the market.

Since the business began in 2009, sales have blossomed, as has coverage of the girls and their accessories. Their hair ties and headbands have been featured on numerous style blogs and in magazines such as O and InStyle. Stars such as Demi Lovato and Sarah Jessica Parker have been seen wearing the girls' creations. Emily and Julianne have also decided to give back by donating a portion of their proceeds to Locks of Love.

With all the attention Emi-Jay has been getting, it has been a challenge for Emily and Julianne to balance school and their business. They say, "We try our best to put equal time into both. School, of course, is a priority, so our schoolwork always comes first, but our business is always important as well."

As busy as they are, these two young entrepreneurs wouldn't trade their experiences for "normal" teenage lives: "We've learned so much about time management, a lot about communicating with people in a business environment, and how to be professional and balance school and our social lives all at once."

As to the future of Emi-Jay, Emily and Julianne say, "We really hope to fulfill our plans of expanding into more headbands and hair clips...We would love to make products for a lot of girls our age who love fashion and accessories as much as we do!"

What advice do Emily and Julianne have for girls who want to start their own businesses? "It's very fun and rewarding, yet a lot of hard work and dedication goes into it as well! It's definitely a commitment, and you must be very passionate about your product, or whatever it is you're selling."