From Lemonade Stands to Lip Balms: How This Teen With Down Syndrome Became a ‘CEO’ at 19

Every parent carries a quiet dream — that their child will one day walk into the world with confidence, doing something they love, and being met with kindness. But for some parents, this dream comes with questions. Not because they love less, but because the world can feel uncertain, even unkind.

When Aryta Persaud gave birth to her daughter, Anasuya Sarma (fondly named Anu), in 2006, she felt all the love a new mother can hold. But layered under that joy was something else — a heaviness she hadn’t prepared for. Anu had been born with Down Syndrome, and suddenly, the future seemed full of unknowns.

Aryta wasn’t unfamiliar with challenges. As a business educator, she was used to solving problems and breaking down complexity. But this was different. This was personal. And in those early days, the questions came fast and heavy: Would Anu ever lead an independent life? What kind of opportunities would she have? Would people see her for who she is, or only for her diagnosis?

She and her husband, Raj, began reaching out to other families. Not for answers, necessarily, but for glimpses of possibility. What they received in return were stories — not of perfection, but of persistence. Children who learned slowly but surely. Families that celebrated small wins. And through those stories, something quietly shifted. Fear turned into curiosity. Worry gave way to hope.

From that place, Aryta began to imagine — not just what Anu might need, but who she could become.

From yoga mats to lemonade stands: building skills, one moment at a time

Determined to give Anu the tools she’d need to move through the world, Aryta introduced her to yoga at a young age. The idea wasn’t performance — it was presence. Gentle stretches turned into routines, and those routines gradually built discipline. Over time, Anu developed not just motor skills, but a quiet kind of resilience.

Academics, meanwhile, were more difficult. Anu attended an inclusive school where she learnt alongside her peers. But writing was slow, maths even slower. Every concept took time. What came easily to others often took extra patience and repetition for Anu to grasp.

Still, she showed up every single day. Quietly. Consistently. Her pace may have been slower, but her effort never wavered.

Then came 2020. The world slowed down, and in that unexpected pause, Aryta saw a different kind of classroom take shape.

She set up a lemonade stand in their garage. Not to make money, but to make meaning. Anu practised counting coins, measuring ingredients, and—her favourite part—chatting with neighbours who stopped by. Each glass served was not just a drink, but a small, meaningful step in her journey toward confidence.

That’s when Aryta noticed something else: Anu loved lipsticks. Not just wearing them, but admiring their colours, textures, and packaging. Her eyes would light up in front of mirrors. And instead of brushing it off as a passing phase, Aryta leaned in.

“What if this could be something?” she wondered. Not a plan. Just a possibility.

So they began.

From failed batches to family production lines: how 'Lovebird' took flight

They didn’t start with a business plan. They started with YouTube tutorials, late nights, and the willingness to learn.

With no formal training, Aryta and Anu watched hours of videos — learning how to melt, blend, pour, and set. Their kitchen turned into a mini lab. The first batch of lip balms was a complete failure. The texture wasn’t right. The fragrances clashed. Sometimes, the balm just wouldn’t set.

But they kept going. They tweaked ratios, swapped ingredients, and took notes. Slowly, a formula began to take shape.

When they were finally happy with a batch, they shared it with close friends and family. Just a few tins. No fancy packaging. No logo. What came back wasn’t just polite encouragement—it was real enthusiasm.

With that spark, Lovebird was born.

It wasn’t just Anu’s business — it became a family affair. Her elder brother Satya helped design business cards, which Anu proudly carries in her purse. Orders were packed at home, and ingredients were sourced together. Every step became a shared memory.

Once, while speaking to a relative, Anu asked, "What’s your job?" When he replied, "I’m a senior manager," she grinned and said, "I have my own business. I’m the CEO."

Aryta remembers the stunned silence that followed, and then the laughter. It was a small moment, but one that spoke volumes.

Lovebird lip balms — infused with Indian fragrances and vibrant colours — soon found their way into homes and even corporate gifting lists. Bulk orders began coming in. Anu’s story and her spark were finding their way into the world.

“My girls and I love Anu’s lip balm. We had the honour of meeting her. She is precocious, confident, and ambitious. Everything I want my girls to be — the role model they need. She is the embodiment of girl (woman) power,” says Sonia Singh, a customer who swears by Lovebird.

Behind the brand: learning to count, create, and lead with heart

Building a business taught Anu more than how to make lip balm — it gave her a chance to build life skills with meaning.

Aryta broke down each step gently: how to measure ingredients, why hygiene mattered, what it meant to receive an order for 200 units. They wore gloves and hairnets, cleaned surfaces with care, and approached each batch with dedication.

Then came Excel. At first, the numbers looked like just characters on a screen. But slowly, Anu began to recognise patterns. She started typing in names, tracking quantities, and adding totals. She was learning, adapting, and doing it all with growing confidence.

“She’d sometimes sneak off and ask Alexa for answers to her practice sheets,” Aryta laughs. “And honestly, I was proud. That’s resourcefulness. And why shouldn’t she use technology to her advantage? That’s what we all do.”

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These weren’t just lessons in profit and packaging. They were lessons in independence, communication, and self-worth.

At a local café that showcases products by entrepreneurs with disabilities, Anu stood behind a small counter, explaining her lip balms to customers. “This is a lip balm I made,” she’d say, eyes shining.

For many, it wasn’t just a pitch — it was a reminder. Confidence, too, can be made by hand.

A story still unfolding

Today, Anu is 19. Her days include yoga, schoolwork, household chores, dance breaks, and stretches of teenage joy — music, screens, laughter. Lovebird remains part of her world. But so does simply being a young woman, still discovering who she is.

Aryta hopes Anu will grow more socially connected, perhaps make more friends, maybe explore new passions. But she also knows this: her daughter is already enough.

She’s building something real. She’s learning every day. And she’s doing it all in her own time, in her own way.

“I feel proud of myself,” Anu says. “My advice to anyone starting a business would be this: Work hard, ask for help, and never give up.”

Edited by Khushi Arora; All images courtesy Aryta Persaud