Alana Andrews, of Potomac Falls, Virginia, was 8 years old when she was diagnosed with prediabetes, a health condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal. As she began exercising and eating healthier, she was dismayed to discover that most sports drinks are loaded with sugar and artificial ingredients. So she decided to make her own. After years of research, Alana, now 17, recently launched a line of sugar-free sports drinks called SWEY.

Q: What makes SWEY special?

A: It’s specifically designed for Gen Z athletes. We figured out which ingredients are important for [young people] and which ones they might be deficient in.

Q: What’s the best part of being an entrepreneur?

A: There’s no set way of doing things. I love how you can create something out of nothing and truly follow the vision that you have in your mind.

Q: What have you learned from this experience?

A: It’s so important to be patient and trust the process. I had to learn about the complexity of business.

Q: What would you tell teens who want to start a company?

A: Identify your why. There will be so many challenges and setbacks. You have to know why you started in the first place, and that’s going to fuel you to continue to work toward making that vision a reality.


(This interview was edited and condensed for length and clarity.)