Suburban Phoenix teen’s quest for car leads to multimillion dollar business

PHOENIX — When Isabella Weems told her parents she wanted a car, her parents said, earn the money. Three years later, the Gilbert teenager can afford a lot of cars, thanks to her moneymaking idea that pulls in millions of dollars a year.

Weems, 17, a junior at Perry High School, is the face of Origami Owl, which is a collection of independent agents, whose direct-sales jewelry business has developed into a $250 million earner.

Initially, Weems sold customized lockets, using $350 in seed money she made baby-sitting, plus a matching amount from her parents, Warren and Chrissy. She was 14.

The figure Weems, nicknamed “Bella,” had in mind was somewhere close to $6,000, so she could buy a used truck.

Weems managed a slight upgrade: she drives a Jeep, purchased new in 2012.