The following interview with the owners of Suga Babes was conducted by Jacquie B. and has been edited for publishing purposes.

Layla and Mya Parish are 2 Sister’s Running a Sweet Business! When Layla and Mya started their business, Suga Babes, in April 2012, they had one dream - to sell sugar scrubs online to family and friends. At the time, Layla was a shy 10-year-old and Mya was a 5-year-old missing her two front teeth. Little did they know their dream would turn into something more than they could have ever imagined. These two young girls created an amazing brand for teen girls. The heartbeat of Suga Babe’s is their vegan bath and body product line and mobile spa parties for girls ages 5-13.

Layla and Mya have not only grown with their business; they've grown into their business. They are the creators, innovators, and driving forces behind their brand. They are constantly thinking of new ideas and ways to implement them. Who are these 2 Sisters Running this Sweet Business? Glad you asked…

Jacquie: Layla and Mya, thanks for your time. I know you two young ladies are extremely busy right now. Could you please tell us a bit about yourselves and how you came up with your business idea?

Layla: I am a 16-year-old sophomore in high school. I will be a junior in the fall. I am a part of the National Society of High School Scholars and various other clubs at my school, including PALS (Peer Assistance Leadership Service). I love singing, dancing and everything fashion, makeup included! I also dabble a little in photography.

Mya: I am a 11-year-old 6th grader. I am an honor roll student and involved in various clubs in my school as well outside of school, such as Young Journey. I love swimming, filming and editing, as well as cheerleading. I am super excited because I will be a cheerleader next year. Go Jaguars!!

L and M: We came up with our business idea because we loved bath products like sugar scrubs, bubble baths, and body sprays. We didn’t have any of our own so we would use our moms. She would always run us out of her stuff because of course we would use it all up. So, we decided one day why not just create our own products.

J: You mentioned that your products are vegan. Tell us a little more about your products?

L and M: We sell whipped sugar scrubs, whipped body butters, lotion bars and lip balms. Our products are 100% vegan. No fragrances. No parabens. No preservatives.

J: What are some of your main ingredients?

L and M: Shea butter, coconut oil, frankincense, vitamin E.

J: Why did you choose those ingredients?

L and M: Our skin is the largest organ of the body and absorbs whatever you put onto it, therefore, it is vital to keep the ingredients that we use non-toxic. Our skin’s most important role is as the first line of defense between our bodies and the world we live in. It protects us so we should protect it by what we put on it because what we put on our skin is absorbed into our bodies and affects our overall health. Through the use of chemical-free products, we believe that we have a much better chance at fighting unwanted aggravations. We use the following ingredients in our products because of their healing properties:

● Shea butter is a moisturizer that reduces inflammation and is skin-smoothing. The concentration of natural vitamins and fatty acids in shea butter makes it incredibly nourishing. Shea butter aids in the skin’s natural collagen production.

● Coconut oil is an excellent skin moisturizer. It is all natural and inarguably one of the best moisturizers out there. It is similar in texture to petroleum jelly, however it is not sticky or greasy on your skin. It melts on the skin as soon as it is applied due to the fact that our body temperature is normally above 97 F. It doesn't leave any residue.

● Vitamin E restores and rejuvenates dehydrated skin. It is also known to lead to quick recovery from sunburns. Vitamin E is also an anti-inflammatory, so it calms and hydrates sensitive skin.

● Frankincense essential oil is safe for all skin types. It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits to the skin, making it great for acne-prone skin. It is a natural toner, minimizing the appearance of pores and evening skin-tone. It encourages new cell growth, helping to tighten skin and reduce the appearance of scars. It also helps soothe chapped, dry skin.

J: Do you use your own products?

L and M: Yes, we use our own products daily. We have eczema and dry skin. Since we have been using our products we have not had any flare ups. Our products are safe for your entire body (face included) and family.

J: You young ladies seem really knowledgeable about proper skincare, that is commendable. How did you learn all of this?

L and M: Research, reading, and classes along the way.

J: Wow at such a young age, you came up with this idea. No business plan, just an idea in your head that you verbally spoke to your mother. Do you think that entrepreneurialism is something that is in your blood? Or is it something that can be learned?

L and M: We believe that it is in our blood. We grew up around a family of entrepreneurs so it was natural for us to jump in. Our mom instilled in us what her father instilled in her and that was being in business for yourself.

J: Is being an entrepreneur all fun and games?

L and M: When we first started out we thought it was all fun and games. As we grew into our business and our mom stayed on us we realized that being an entrepreneur is not all fun and games. It is hard work. You have to be willing to put in the work and not quit. We were quick learners. We have learned so much about business and people. We have had good and bad days, days where we don’t want to do our business, but we never quit.

J: What is the purpose and mission of Suga Babes?

L and M: To be the premiere vegan bath and body product line for teens that will enhance your well-being organically. To be known for inspiring teen girls by offering innovative, interactive skincare workshops. To promote being kind to your skin and the environment.

J: How would you like to use your business as a platform to inspire the world?

Layla: I made a vow to myself and God that I would use Suga Babes as a platform to help other girls realize their true purpose and beauty. We are all beautiful!

Mya: My message is very clear, “you are never too young to start living your dreams.” I share this message everywhere I go. I want to share this message with girls who look like me that they can do whatever they put their minds too. Age is nothing but a number!

J:What does success mean to you?

L and M: Success to us is being able to give and serve others. To be able to touch and change a life, even if it is just one. We believe that by living our core values, we are planting the seeds of a legacy that will flourish long after we are gone.

J: Layla and Mya, I am just beyond words at you two sisters. You have accomplished something that most adults have not. Where do you see Suga Babes in 5 years?

L and M: We see Suga Babes as the leader in not only vegan bath and body products for teen girls but also as a model for innovative and interactive skincare workshops with a spin. We can totally see the BIG picture for Suga Babes. We will touch lives all over the world. Suga Babes will be a household name.

J: Do you have any upcoming projects that you are working on?

L and M: YES, we are collaborating with 22 other teen entrepreneurs on a book, The Science Behind It: Formulating Success at Any Age. AND we now sell our products on Handmade at Amazon!