Isabelle May, Charming Wine Charms & Mentor, Maureen Tarrant Fitzgerald

Winner at Celebration for Young Entrepreneurs, Age Category 6-11

At age 11, Isabelle May has already founded her second business. “My friend Sarah and I started Funky Flip Flops when we were seven,” says the serial entrepreneur, and she used the skills she gained to build a winning company. Recognizing a business opportunity when she saw a hostess using wine charms, she knew she “could make them more unique.” And she did, crafting fish and beach charm sets for beach lovers, ballet and Nutcracker charms for the dance crowd and even Wizard of Oz themed charms. But her best sellers are her saint wine charms. With more than 15 saints to choose from, one customer purchased 20 sets for a bridal shower, “and every set is unique.”This seasoned entrepreneur purchases supplies “for a cheap as possible so I can grow my profit margin.” She also employs three young crafters (paying per piecework with a bonus for quality) and markets through multiple channels with a goal of placing her product in retail stores.

Presenting Mentor: Maureen Tarrant Fitzgerald, President & CEO, Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center

Maureen Tarrant Fitzgerald built Sky Ridge Medical Center from scratch into the most successful
startup hospital in Nashville-based HCA’s history. And she was rewarded with two hospitals to run–including one for children. Maureen wants to make sure today’s youth marry their passions to practicality. Her favorite quote is “a dream without a plan is just a wish.”

Being fiscally responsible is key whether you’re running a hospital or reaching for a dream: save, invest, and earn more than you spend. Young people need our help to “face the business side of things, make it fun and exciting,” says Maureen who is thrilled to be a Presenting Mentor. “I can’t wait to help mentor a young genius. I hope to be friends for a long time.”