Welcome !

Hi! I'm Selah, the 4-year-old founder and Chief Joy Officer of Sweet Joy, right here in Hyde Park, Chicago!

I love lollipops, and I love making people smile. So, I decided to start my own business to sell the most colorful, most delicious, and most joyful lollipops to you!

Of course, being a founder is a big job when you're only 4, so my whole family, the McKinney family, is my executive team! My dad, Christopher, is my Chief Operating Officer (COO)—he helps run the day-to-day operations! My mom, Lana, is my Chief Financial Officer (CFO)—she's in charge of counting all the money that goes into my Joy Jar!

For me, selling lollipops is about more than just selling candy; it's about sharing happiness.

Why did I launch my business on the 4th of July?

July 4th is Independence Day! For me, July 4th, 2025, was the day I start my very own business. It’s my "Founder's Day" and a celebration of creating something all my own.

I was inspired by the amazing stories of Bronzeville & Black Wall Street, where brilliant entrepreneurs built whole communities of businesses that they owned. They created joy and success for themselves and their neighbors. I want to build my own little street of sweetness right here in the CHI, and I’m starting with lollipops!

Every lollipop I sell is a little piece of joy. Speaking of joy, all the money I make goes into my "Joy Jar" for a very big goal! Go on over to the Joy Jar to see what the money is for!

Thank you for visiting my website and helping my sweet dream grow! Oops, I mean our website!