Fox5 San Diego

Zolli Candy Now Available at Costco

The Keto-Friendly, Zero-Sugar Candy is Available at Costco Stores in San Diego, Nevada, New Mexico, and Colorado

Recently, Zolli Candy and Alina Morse were featured on FOX 5 Morning News San Diego. The Keto-friendly, allergy-free, zero-sugar Zollipops are now in Costco, available in Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and Colorado.

Fox5 San Diego

Here is the transcript of the interview:

Fox 5 San Diego Announcer Chrissy Russo
A teen that built a candy company, is now sold at Costco.

Kristina Audencial, Host Fox 5 San Diego
Chrissy, thank you so much. Do you have a sweet tooth? I do. Look at these Zolli Keto Pops and they’re so cute. So here’s the deal. Do you know who made these? This young woman right here she is, all of 16.

Alina Morse, CEO Zolli Candy
16!

Kristina Audencial
She’s 16 years old! She has her own company. Welcome to Zolli. So here’s the deal. Okay, Alina Morse Morris, you have created Zolli. Candy, you were here two years ago.

Alina Morse
Yes.

Kristina Audencial
Right before the pandemic went through, and and you were talking about your Zolli Candy, and now it’s gotten so big that you’re about to launch in Costco. You guys have basically come up with a deal.

Alina Morse
Yes, exactly.

Kristina Audencial
How crazy is that?

Alina Morse
It’s pretty insane.

Kristina Audencial
It’s so much fun, and it’s.

Alina Morse
Awesome to be back and get to share our big new Costco bag.

Kristina Audencial
I know. Look, so you can see the difference okay? There’s the Costco bag — that’s so you’ll get you’ll get a bunch. But here’s the thing. Look how it says Keto Pops. So are you saying that these are healthy for you?

Alina Morse
Yes, and not only are they sugar free and keto and diabetic friendly and allergen friendly, they’re sugar free and they clean your teeth.

Kristina Audencial
Oh, hold on. Okay. That’s not the kind of candy that I remember growing up.

Alina Morse
Exactly. They’re not only not bad for you, but they actually protect your tooth enamel and reduce the risk of cavities and tooth decay.

Kristina Audencial
How did you. Because you’re 16 — when did you decide I’m going to make candy? That is actually good for your teeth. When did you think of this?

Alina Morse
Well, when I was seven years old.

Kristina Audencial
Seven, seven years old? I was playing outside when I was seven.

Alina Morse
Okay. And I took a trip to the bank with my dad. And the bank teller offered me a lollipop as they do. And my dad said, well, you shouldn’t have candy because sugar is terrible for your teeth. So I asked him, Well, why can’t we make a healthy candy that’s good for my teeth so that I can eat candy all the time and you can’t say no, and I’ll never get a cavity.

Kristina Audencial
Oh, my goodness.

Alina Morse
And so with this idea, I started doing research, and I realized not only was there nothing like this on the market, but tooth decay was the single greatest epidemic facing kids in America. And so with that information, you know, why can’t I do something good? Help people all over the world smile and, you know, reduce the risk of childhood tooth decay?

Kristina Audencial
I love this. I wish I had known it because I had several cavities by the time I was seven. Now, here’s the thing. Alina Morse was doing research at seven years old. This is amazing. But what I love is that, I mean, your your family had to have backed you up because you’re doing the research you’re coming up with, right, with the ingredients and you’re going to make this come about. And then so that process from then until now, I mean, it’s been such a roller coaster.

Alina Morse
Absolutely. And, you know, my family has been such an amazing support system. And to have that that support in my corner telling me that, you know, even though I’m a kid, even though I’m a girl, I can do anything. Sure. I can do anything I put my mind to. And it’s just been amazing to to not only have that support, but be able to work with my family. And to to create something that everyone can enjoy are an all inclusive product.

Kristina Audencial
And Alina Morse, you’ve done it. So here’s the thing. So I don’t know if you were taking a closer look, but this is (Zolli Keto) Taffy. Who doesn’t like taffy? See, I can’t imagine that taffy would be good for your teeth because it just feels and…

Alina Morse
It doesn’t stick to your teeth either. It is braces save. It’s endorsed by my orthodontist.

Kristina Audencial
I’ve also heard. Okay, perfect. Oh, my gosh. Okay, so tell me a little bit about so you’re 16, you’re doing these TED talks. You’ve been featured in magazines. How are you coping with all of this?

Alina Morse
Well, you know, I’m just a regular kid …

Kristina Audencial
How!?

Alina Morse
I go to regular high school and, you know, I, I spend time with my friends. I play tennis, I’m a dancer, I have extracurriculars. And, you know, it’s just all about the balance. Well, I just choose to spend my time in business and learning and trying to make a difference along the way.

Kristina Audencial
You know, when you become a multimillionaire, you remember a small people out here, okay? Like myself. We’re so proud of you. This is amazing. I can’t believe I can’t get over your age, first of all. But now here you are, and you’re about your candy is about to be sold in Costco.

Alina Morse
So here in San Diego…

Kristina Audencial
That’s perfect.

Alina Morse
Yep. In San Diego, it’s available now. And we’re also available in Costco in Nevada, New Mexico, and Colorado, as well as here in South Bend. My goodness. So it’s very, very exciting.

Kristina Audencial
And I can’t I can’t help but notice that Shally, even when she was walking out here earlier, she goes, wait, I haven’t seen those at Costco yet. And you said, no, this just it just happened.

Alina Morse
We just went into a Costco the other day. This had we just got them in like yesterday, the day before. And so we’re super, super excited.

Kristina Audencial
How did it feel to see when you walked in and you saw your product in Costco?

Alina Morse
It was incredible. I mean, we’ve been selling for about five years, but it’s taken so long to get into Costco. It’s such a it’s a hard account to close, but we’ve gotten an immense amount of support. And with all the hard work, it’s finally come to come to the climax. And we’re in. It was pretty — it was pretty exciting to see a display taller than me in Costco.

And so, yeah, it’s just a very surreal experience.

Kristina Audencial
So here’s the deal. Sweet tooth or not, I mean, these are practically guilt free. They’re good for your teeth. And so, you know, I mean, the kids can have it. Alina Morse, thank you so much for being here.

Alina Morse
Thank you so much for having me again.

Kristina Audencial
Yes. Yes. And who wants a lollipop? Me. Okay. Shally wants lollipop, so I’ll give one to her.