I am Maya Shea Penn. I’m a 13 year old entrepreneur, philanthropist, designer, artist, animator (I make animated short films), illustrator, and writer. I am the CEO of Maya's Ideas, a company I started in 2008 when I was just 8 years old. I create handmade artisan crafted one-of-a-kind eco-friendly accessories and clothing. I have been featured in Forbes, Huffington Post, Ebony, The Steve Harvey Show, Young Entrepreneur, Redbook, FOX 5 Atlanta, Black Enterprise, Etsy,The NRDC, The Michael Baisden Show, CBS Better Mornings Atlanta, and many other publications. My designs are sold all over the world and I have customers in Denmark, Italy, Australia and more. I love to use my creativity to give back to the community, and the environment and it's creatures. 10-20% of my profits go to causes that I am passionate about like: Hosea Feed The Hungry, Atlanta Community Food Bank, The Ian Somerhalder Foundation ( I’m a member of their kids division and I write articles and add content/videos to their website.). I also write a column called Ask The Expert as a contributing writer for Livethrive.org. I was honored as an entrepreneur at the 2012 SCLC Women's 33rd Annual Drum Major for Justice Awards in the Youth Category. I was honored along with actor and Humanitarian Sean Penn, Actor Samuel L. Jackson and his wife Latanya Richardson, CNN News Anchor Don Lemon,Rev. Al Sharpton, Justice Robert Benham and Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson. I was panelist/speaker at the economic empowerment summit at Agnes Scott College that was being presented by the National Center for Civil and Human Rights for teen age girls. I also have a non-profit organization called Maya's Ideas 4 The Planet. I spoke at TEDx Youth November 19th
Item reviews! Thank you!!! I love the dress!!! It's so beautiful, and it arrived like a present—so beautifully wrapped, too! Thank you for your special note as well.------- Just got my top in the mail today - not only is it gorgeous, but it arrived beautifully wrapped with a sweet personalized note. I'd recommend this shop to anyone - Maya, you rock!------- WOW! LOVELY packaging, fast shipping and this is a BEAUTIFUL shirt! THANK YOU! xo------- Bought as gift for my daughter, she LOVED it! and it fit her! she's so small it's hard to find clothes small enough to fit her but this was great, and she LOVED the artwork! Thanks again for the beautiful top and how lovely they were packaged, I was able to just hand her the package as it came, it already was wrapped and ready to go as as a gift! Thank you again.------- Just arrived! is much more beautiful than in pictures! i love maya's ideas! These tops are true treasures. Each piece feels so special to wear, very comfortable and just all around amazing (ESPECIALLY the black halter… the fit is perfection and so well crafted!!!). I'm a lucky gal to have found your shop. Thank you Maya!-------RECEIVED THIS TOP SOOOOOO QUICKLY!!! i mean, sooo quickly! abso-frickin-lutely GORGEOUS! looks even more beautiful in person (didn't even know that was possible). I have it on now and can't stop looking in the mirror! oooooooohhh LOVE!! To contact me: ddpenn@comcast.net
To purchase items click on pictures!

mayasideas.com

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Eve Ensler Meet and Greet Event!

Recently I went to an Eve Ensler Meet and Greet event and books signing for her new book "Into the body of the world". I got to meet Eve! Eve is the creator of One Billion Rising and V-day. She's very amazing and inspirational and I was honored to meet her. She also spoke about me and introduced me to the audience. It was just so humbling to be in her presence.
Me and my wonderful new bff Eve Ensler rocking one of my Maya's Ideas scarves! :)
Eve speaking!


I had a wonderful time and was very enlightened.
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Black Enterprise Teenpreneur of the year 2013!

I was awarded Black Enterprise Teenpreneur of the year 2013! I'm very humbled and honored! I would like to thank Mr. Alfred Edmond Jr. SVP/Editor-at-Large, at Black Enterprise and the whole Black Enterprise team for all of the support they've given Maya's Ideas. Thank you so much! I would also like to mention the other awesome nominees for the Teenpreneur award. Jewelz of Jordan and Shy-Way Essentials!


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Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Maya's Ideas on The Steve Harvey Show!! (PLUS: BEHIND THE SCENES FOOTAGE)

I was contacted by The Steve Harvey TV Show! They flew me out to Chicago to be on the show. Tuesday May 21st the episode aired! But don't worry, for those of you who missed it here's the segment:




Mr. Harvey and his crew were so nice and I had a wonderful time on the show. I also have some behind the scenes footage and pictures:

BEHIND THE SCENES


Me outside of the NBC Universal Building!

My name on the door! :D

Me, my parents, and Mr. Harvey!

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Thursday, May 16, 2013

Little Pink Book Spring Into Ownership event!

Recently I was a panelist for the Little Pink Book Spring Into Ownership event! I was on a panel with  other wonderful women entrepreneurs. :)

 

Me and the other panelists (left to right)
Cassandra Connors, Me, Christa Pitts, Dana Spinola, and Anisa Telwar!

I had a great time and I enjoyed exchanging business advice with all of the awesome women entrepreneurs!

More event info: http://www.littlepinkbook.com/live-events

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One Billion Rising Town Hall Meeting!

Recently I spoke at the One Billion Rising Town Hall Meeting at the King Center! Laura Turner Seydel and Bernice King were hosting the event. The event was about why we should continue to rise against violence against women and girls.



Here I am speaking!
I also showed my video I made to capture the spirit of V-day and One Billion Rising. If you haven't seen it yet, check out my previous post HERE.

It was such an honor to be part of this wonderful event!






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Monday, March 4, 2013

Grant from The Pollination Project!

http://thepollinationproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/cropped-copy-wp_cropped-banner_website_288.png

I'm so honored to receive a grant from The Pollination Project!!!



http://thepollinationproject.org/grants-2013-february/
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Thursday, February 14, 2013

One Billion Rising - V-Day Atlanta GA 2/14/13

I participated in One Billion Rising's V-Day Atlanta event!! :)



Here is a video I made from footage I got from the event:





 Me and my two beautiful friends Doria Roberts and Laura Turner Seydel 

Me and the fabulous Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx

Me and the awesome Nikki Noto



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