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

Monday, September 19, 2011


Splashlife Pick One from Splashlife on Vimeo. I love how this video boldly states that we all need to do our part to help the planet and all the living things in it. We need to take action. I love Whoopi Goldberg. It would be great if I could meet her one day! =) ====================♥===================

Friday, September 16, 2011

So long summer...( Part 1 )

It's been a long and exciting summer, filled with friends, field trips, food, and fun. The holiday season is right around the corner but be for we get to caught up in that let's take a look back on some of the fun me and my family had this summer...


To start things off we went to a little city called Charleston in South Carolina. I had so much fun there...and I certainly want to live there when I grow up and move out. First we went to a restaurant named "Hank's Sea Food Restaurant." 
It may not look like much on the outside but believe me the food inside is FABULOUS!
You simply MUST try the she-crab soup! I recommend it!
The next day we headed to a restaurant called "Bubba Gump". But hang on. On the way there I happened to meet a well...un-likely character. Some where between our hotel and Bubba Gump we met a pirate! Yes a pirate! Now this pirate was giving information on a tour about pirates! He told us lot's of facts about pirates that were very fascinating! Now on to Bubba Gump. They had some really good food there and I know I would definitely recommend it!
I got my fish and chips in a little boat! Isn't that nice? =)



To be continued...

Thursday, September 8, 2011

RedBook Magazine Feature!

I recently found out that one of my items has been featured in RedBook Magazine!  The item was:

Eco-friendly The Dandelion (La Dent-De-Lion) Handmade Hair Comb/Fascinator
       
Thanks so much Molly Fergus for featuring my item! You Rock! 
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