Spotlight on Leanna Archer

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YPNation is rounding out Black History Month by spotlighting an outstanding "Young Professional of Color" each day this week. Today's pick is Leanna Archer, CEO of Leanna's Inc., a custom-made hair care and body products line. But she isn't your typical young professional--Archer is a 14-year-old, ninth-grade student from Long Island, N.Y.
 
Why is the YPNation spotlight on Leanna Archer?
In 2005, at the age of 9, Archer convinced her parents to support her business idea -- a hair product line inspired by homemade hair dressing used in her family for two generations. The natural product line has since opened a number of avenues for Archer, including the opportunity to be a motivational speaker to inspire other young people. Her message: She is proof anything is possible.
 
Then there is Archer's passion for giving back. In 2008 she started the Leanna Archer Education Foundation to aid underprivileged children in Haiti.
 
For these reasons, YPNation chose to spotlight this unique example of a young professional. Yesterday, YPNation interviewed this young entrepreneur. Here are excerpts from what Archer had to say:
 
Your parents helped you get started in business, but what was something that you found challenging about getting your product line started?
Well my business is still young; it’s been around for five years. The whole thing was pretty much a learning experience, but I had to come up with the other products for my line. I only had the one product that my great grandmother used to make.
 
You were 9 years old when you started Leanna's Inc., and now you are 14 years old. How do you balance being a regular teenage and having a business?
It was hard at first, but I learned to be more organized. I have to make a schedule for myself, and put time aside for certain things.
 
Who is Leanna aside from being a successful young entrepreneur? What are some things people should know about you?
I play pretty much every sport, including basketball, baseball, and tennis, and I plan on trying out for some teams next year at school. I also play several instruments. I’ve been playing the piano for 5 years now, and I’ve been playing the saxophone for only two.
 
Where do you see yourself in another 5-10 years?
I still want to have my business. I love interacting with customers, and I hope to hire 5-10 employees. My family mostly helps out now. I will be out of high school in five years, and I’ve been thinking about attending Harvard. Hopefully in 10 years I’ll be attending Harvard Law School.
 
You give motivational speeches to other young people. Are there any people that inspire you, and why?
There are so many! I would have to say Oprah. She is such a strong and successful woman and she is always giving back to people. She reminds me that anything is possible.
 
Speaking of giving back, tell us more about the Leanna Archer Education Foundation.
Well, it was completely registered in Haiti in 2008. My family is from Haiti, and every year there was a product expo that showcased my products in Haiti. My parents would always go to Haiti for it, but in 2008 I visited Haiti for the first time. It opened my eyes to a lot of poverty; there were so many children in the streets. It was hard for them to provide for themselves. They had no money for education. It made me upset to think that I had access to an education and they did not. So that’s why I started my foundation. While I was in Haiti I got the chance to meet the President, Rene Preval, he was helping me to build a school in Haiti. Initially I was supposed to provide for 200-300 different children, but since the earthquake in Haiti my foundation has been dedicated to relief efforts.
 
Last question, how would you describe Leanna in one word?
Hmm, that’s hard… I would have to say.. tenacious.
 
Other facts about Leanna Archer:

• Archer started by selling products at home and then on the Internet. Now Leanna’s Inc. hair products are also available at different stores in Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island and New Rochelle, New York.
• In 2008 Archer became the youngest person & CEO to ring the opening bell for Nasdaq.
• Other young people can be a part of her success by serving as a local spokesperson for her products, earning a profit for every purchase made by his or her new client. 
• The president of Haiti and the Minister of Foreign Affairs honored Leanna and her foundation during her second trip to the country.
  

 
Check out Leanna's commercial:
 
 

 
Follow this series! Check out the profiles of Vashtie Kola, party promoter, former music label executive and designer, and Jamail Larkins, pilot and First Ambassador for Aviation & Space Education.