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Kyla La Rue and Lydia Yoder

Grade: 11 and 12

Location: Auburn, Indiana

Business Name:

True Blue

Revenue: $4,500

At just 16 and 17 years old, Kyla La Rue and Lydia are already changing lives through their business, True Blue. The dynamic duo, both students at DeKalb High School, are the latest recipients of the prestigious Formidable Fellowship, awarded to young entrepreneurs making an impact in their communities. Their story is one of resilience, passion, and a drive to educate others about a topic close to their hearts: type 1 diabetes.


From Early Beginnings to True Purpose


Before starting True Blue, Kyla and Lydia dabbled in entrepreneurship with a project called "Clothing for a Cause." Their goal was to resell thrifted clothing, but they quickly found that their idea lacked a unique value proposition in a crowded market. Reflecting on that early failure, they said, "We’ve definitely learned the process of trying something, failing, and having to get back up and try again. That experience taught us that you need to be passionate about what you’re doing, or you won’t work as hard or see success."


Their determination to create something meaningful led them to draw inspiration from Kyla's younger sister, Ava, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of eight. Witnessing Ava’s struggles with misconceptions, social stigma, and the day-to-day challenges of living with diabetes, Kyla and Lydia decided to focus their efforts on raising awareness and educating children about the condition.


True Blue: A Unique Approach to Diabetes Awareness


True Blue is a one-of-a-kind business that combines education and advocacy with creative products. The company generates revenue through two main avenues: selling awareness teddy bears and children's books, and offering advertising space on educational coloring sheets distributed to schools. However, the heart of True Blue lies in its educational outreach efforts, which are completely free of charge, thanks to sponsorships and donations.


Kyla and Lydia have designed interactive and engaging classroom sessions to educate elementary school students about diabetes. These sessions include games like diabetes-themed bingo, a carb-counting challenge, and storytelling activities centered around Ava’s journey, which is captured in their children’s book series. As Kyla explains, "We wanted to create something that helps students with diabetes feel seen and heard, while also teaching their peers to understand and support them."


The business also partners with local organizations and sponsors, such as health insurance companies and education foundations, to expand its reach. "We’ve worked hard to explain our model to potential sponsors," they said. "People don’t always understand that our education programs are free because they’re funded by advertising on our materials, like coloring sheets."


Learning Through Entrepreneurship


Balancing school, a business, and dual enrollment classes hasn’t been easy, but Kyla and Lydia credit their experiences with shaping them into resourceful young entrepreneurs. Both are currently pursuing an associate degree in entrepreneurship, in addition to her high school coursework. Meanwhile, the challenges they’ve faced in running True Blue—from marketing struggles to rejection from sponsors—have taught them invaluable lessons about perseverance, adaptability, and the importance of a personal connection to their mission.


"One of the hardest parts of running a business at our age is that people don’t always take you seriously," they said. "We’ve had to step out of our comfort zones, whether it’s speaking at galas in front of hundreds of people or handing out business stickers at school. But every time we push ourselves, we grow stronger and more confident."


Big Dreams, Bigger Impact


True Blue has already made a significant impact in their local community, but Kyla and Lydia are thinking even bigger. Their ultimate goal? To bring their educational programs to schools across the country. They envision creating ready-made lesson packets and videos that teachers can use in classrooms nationwide, ensuring that diabetes awareness is accessible to everyone.


"Long-term, we’d love to grow True Blue to the point where we can have a team of employees helping us scale the business," they shared. "We want to reach as many students as possible and create a future where kids with diabetes feel supported and understood wherever they go."


True Blue’s success is a testament to the power of passion, persistence, and purpose. By combining entrepreneurial drive with a deep desire to make a difference, Kyla and Lydia are proving that age is no barrier to creating meaningful change.


Closing Words: The Power of Never Giving Up


When asked what advice they’d give to other young entrepreneurs, they said, "Don’t give up. You’re going to face roadblocks, especially at a young age when people may underestimate you. But if you’re passionate about your idea and willing to put in the work, you’ll find a way to make it happen. And don’t worry about what your peers think—focus on your mission, and the right people will support you."


With their infectious energy, innovative ideas, and unwavering commitment to helping others, Kyla and Lydia are trailblazers in every sense of the word. True Blue isn’t just a business; it’s a movement to create a more compassionate, informed world—one classroom at a time.

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