Eight-year-old entrepreneur opening slime store
Luna-Belle Meza | Photo courtesy of MooZoo Slime
What started with a little girl making slime and getting it all over her family’s house is becoming a brick-and-mortar business. Eight-year-old entrepreneur Luna-Belle Meza will celebrate the grand opening of MooZoo Slime, an interactive slime shop at RiverTown Crossings, at noon on October 17.
Located on the mall’s first floor, the new store lets customers create their own slime at an interactive slime bar featuring five textures, plus colors, scents, charms, and other add-ins. Approximately 13 varieties of ready-made slime will also be available for purchase.
The first five customers to arrive will receive free full-size slimes, and the first 30 will receive mini slimes. Free cotton candy will also be available throughout the day while supplies last.
For Meza, the storefront is the latest chapter in a business journey that began well before most kids learn what the word entrepreneur means. Her interest in business first emerged at age 3, when she began selling handmade soap. Years later, her creativity sparked a new obsession: making slime.
Meza began experimenting with recipes at home and prepared to sell her creations at a local kids’ market. At her first event on May 23, she sold approximately $80 worth of slime. From there, MooZoo began to grow.
Meza and her family took the business to additional markets and community events and developed partnerships with organizations including The Haunt gift shop and the Grand Rapids Public Museum. MooZoo’s interactive slime bars became popular at events, and inquiries began arriving about birthday parties and, eventually, whether customers could visit a permanent store.
The opportunity arrived when RiverTown Crossings invited MooZoo to participate in a back-to-school event with a free slime bar. The mall later approached the family about opening a storefront. Now, Meza’s family is rallying around her vision, helping produce, package, and label enough slime to stock an entire store.
“We started supporting Luna-Belle’s passion by figuring out how to remove slime from the couch,” said Salma Meza, Luna-Belle’s mother. “Now we are all working together to establish a family business, and are all so inspired by her vision, creativity, and passion for helping others.”
Meza also wants to use her store to give other young entrepreneurs a place to shine. The shop will feature products from other kid-owned businesses, letting young makers reach RiverTown Crossings shoppers without needing their own storefronts.
Among the featured young entrepreneurs will be Jay’s Sensory Garage, which creates 3D-printed sensory and anxiety-relief products.
“I remember how excited I was when I made my first sale,” Meza said. “I want to give other kids the chance to have their own businesses and feel that happiness too.”
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