Abigayle Lett
Grade: 12
Location: Odessa, Missouri
Business Name:
Totally Mums
Revenue: $18,000
At just 17 years old, Abigayle Lett is redefining what it means to be a young entrepreneur. A high school senior at Odessa High School in Missouri, Abigayle has built an impressive chrysanthemum business called Totally Mums. Over the past two years, her dedication, hard work, and entrepreneurial spirit have transformed a budding idea into a thriving operation, generating an incredible $14,000 in revenue this year alone. Her story of grit, ingenuity, and community support is precisely why she was awarded the prestigious Formidable Fellowship—and her journey is just getting started.
The Seed of an Idea:
Where It All Began
Abigayle’s entrepreneurial journey began close to home. Growing up, she watched her father run two businesses: a cabinet shop and a snow geese hunting business. “He always said, ‘There’s no time like the present,’ and that really stuck with me,” she shared. Inspired by his work ethic and her family’s resilience through financial struggles, Abigayle realized early on that owning her own business could give her the independence and stability she desired.
Her passion for agriculture and time spent in greenhouses led her to chrysanthemum farming. With the help of her local FFA chapter and a strong support system at home, she took the leap into entrepreneurship. What began with hand-watering 300 mums in her school parking lot during the first season quickly scaled to 1,300 mums in her family’s front yard by the second year. Abigayle’s hustle, combined with a natural knack for innovation, proved instrumental to her success.
Growing Totally Mums: Lessons in Resilience and Patience
Running a business centered around a living product has come with its share of challenges. From rabbits nibbling at her plants to issues with drainage and pest infestations, Abigayle has faced countless obstacles. Yet, she takes each hurdle in stride, guided by her father’s wisdom and her own philosophy: “You never fail—you just learn.”
Her commitment to problem-solving has enabled her to not only recover but thrive. This year, she implemented irrigation lines to streamline watering, a necessary upgrade as her operation scaled. She even created an “ICU” for struggling plants, nursing them back to health on her front porch. Through it all, Abigayle has learned to trust the process and lean on her family, who serve as her team when things get hectic.
The Day-to-Day Grind: Balancing Business and
High School
Juggling entrepreneurship, school, and extracurricular activities might sound overwhelming to most high school seniors, but Abigayle thrives on structure. Her mornings often begin at 5 a.m. to water her mums before heading to class. With her mom helping to manage midday tasks and her afternoons reserved for homework and tending to the plants, Abigayle has developed a rhythm that works for her.
Her ability to prioritize has also shaped the way she thinks about money. She’s become adept at planning ahead, managing her business’s cash flow, and making thoughtful spending decisions. “For me, it’s about being mindful. I think of every expense as working a certain number of hours,” she explained.
The Heart of Totally Mums: Affordability and Community
A key pillar of Abigayle’s business is affordability. She’s committed to making her products accessible to everyone, from kids saving up their allowance to local fundraisers looking for high-quality mums at a reasonable price. “I know how much joy plants can bring, and I want everyone to have access to that,” she said.
This focus on community has helped Totally Mums grow rapidly. By using social media and hosting sales at accessible locations, Abigayle has cultivated a loyal customer base that continues to expand. She even dreams of one day becoming a wholesaler, supplying mums and other plants to hardware stores and nurseries across the Kansas City area.
Looking Ahead: Abigayle’s Vision for the
Future
As Abigayle prepares for the next chapter of her life, her dreams are blossoming as brightly as her mums. She plans to study agricultural education in college while continuing to grow her business. Her ultimate goal? To own multiple greenhouses, allowing her to extend her product line to include items like hanging baskets for Mother’s Day and create a controlled environment to produce even higher-quality mums.
Long-term, Abigayle envisions signing contracts with hardware stores and other businesses to provide stability and scalability for Totally Mums. Her dream isn’t just about expanding her operation—it’s about creating a legacy of affordable, high-quality plants that bring joy to her community.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Abigayle’s advice to aspiring young entrepreneurs is simple yet profound: “Don’t be afraid to try. Even if it’s something small like making bracelets and selling them—just start. The only real failure is when you stop trying.” Her story is a testament to the power of taking that first step, no matter how daunting it may seem.
With the Formidable Fellowship, Abigayle Lett has not only earned recognition for her incredible achievements but also gained a platform to connect with other entrepreneurs and resources to fuel her dreams. Her journey serves as an inspiring reminder that with hard work, passion, and a little bit of courage, you can grow something truly extraordinary—just like Abigayle has done with Totally Mums.
Abigayle’s dream is to inspire others to embrace agriculture while continuing to grow her business into a powerhouse of affordable, high-quality greenery. She envisions a future where plants bring joy and accessibility to everyone, one chrysanthemum at a time.
