Bella Lin, the 17-year-old founder and CEO of GuineaLoft, started her entrepreneurial journey at age 12 when she spent hours cleaning her guinea pig cages. This experience led her to design her own cages with a disposable wax-coated paper bottom that made cleaning easier. After a year of prototyping, GuineaLoft launched its cages in November 2022 and has since seen significant growth in revenue. The company now brings in approximately $71,000 per month, more than double compared to the previous year.
Lin credits the explosive growth of GuineaLoft to winning $10,000 in a pitching competition at BizWorld last October. She used the funds to purchase an acrylic laser cutter, which improved production times and kept the signature cages in stock. Despite the success, GuineaLoft remains Lin’s side hustle as she recently graduated from high school and is preparing to study economics at The University of Chicago in the fall. The business currently employs six full-time workers to develop, build, and test products.
Lin’s entrepreneurial journey began at a young age, as she always looked for ways to make money, encouraged by her dad who had experience working with start-ups. Her previous side hustle, TLeggings, brought in $300,000 at its peak in 2020. Lin’s father also connected her with the factory in China, where GuineaLoft’s products are manufactured. Lin’s proficiency in Chinese helps her communicate with the factory, and her father sometimes assists with translation.
GuineaLoft’s success has been driven by innovative design and filling a gap in the market for small pet accessories. The company has expanded its product line to include hay feeders, water bottles, and cages for hamsters, rabbits, and birds. Despite facing challenges, such as adapting the design of the hamster cage due to customer feedback, Lin’s commitment to innovation has kept GuineaLoft thriving. Lin currently works 30 hours per week on the side hustle while enrolled in two college courses.
Lin’s ultimate goal for GuineaLoft is to become the recognized small pet brand, with plans to get products on brick-and-mortar shelves in the future. While the company is profitable, Lin has not started paying herself a salary yet and reinvests the money back into the business. She hopes to learn more and connect with people who can help her grow the business while studying in college. Lin’s unique niche in the small pet accessory market has set her apart as an entrepreneur, with a vision to expand GuineaLoft’s reach and impact in the industry.
