South Bend Teen Entrepreneur Gains Viral Success
A 14-year-old local business owner draws millions of online views with a new handmade slime venture.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Lexi, a 14-year-old entrepreneur in South Bend, has gained 21,500 Facebook followers and 6.1 million video views in just 23 days. The teen launched her business, Slime & Squish, to help fund an upcoming eighth-grade class trip to Washington, D.C.
Why it matters
The rapid online growth highlights the effectiveness of social media in promoting youth-led small businesses. Lexi aims to use the revenue generated from her handmade creations to cover expenses for her class excursion.
The startup accumulated 6.1 million video views in 23 days, with a single viral video accounting for 5.2 million of those views. Lexi, who began selling crafts at age four and slime at age eight, operates the business in South Bend.
The players
Lexi
A 14-year-old entrepreneur from South Bend who has successfully utilized social media platforms to market her handmade slime and squishy business.
Century Center
A convention center located in South Bend that served as the venue for the recent interactive business event.
The details
Lexi creates handmade slime and customizable squishies for her customers. She recently expanded her operations by hosting an interactive slime and squishy bar event at the Century Center to engage with her growing audience.
Timeline
Lexi launched Slime & Squish on Oct. 1, 2026.
The slime and squishy bar event occurred at the Century Center on Oct. 24, 2026.
Market Landscape
This venture illustrates the growing impact of teen entrepreneurs who utilize digital platforms to bypass traditional barriers to entry in local retail markets. By capturing massive online reach, the business positions itself to compete for attention alongside established hobbyist retailers.
Local residents interested in supporting youth entrepreneurship can look for future pop-up events featuring handmade goods. The success of this business model provides a practical example of how students can fund educational opportunities through creative retail ventures.
The takeaway
Young entrepreneurs can achieve significant reach by focusing on niche products that allow for high levels of customer interactivity. Developing strong online engagement can turn a school-trip fundraiser into a scalable business project.
Further reading
Learn more about new businesses launching in the area on the South Bend Openings & Closings page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WSBT.
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