Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
LEESBURG — Matthews’ Painting Company announced Aleena Christner as the 2025 recipient of the Young Entrepreneur Scholarship (Y.E.S.), awarded to young business-minded individuals in Kosciusko County.
Christner, a student at Lakeview Middle School, impressed the Y.E.S. Committee with her passion, creativity and growing business offering handmade, natural body care, home fragrance and cleaning products, according to a news release from Matthews’ Painting Company.
Christner’s entrepreneurial journey began in second grade when she asked her mom if she could start her own business. What started with gifting cold process soap to teachers and classmates became a full product line of natural soaps, body butters, deodorants, sugar scrubs, lip balms and more. She also crafts candles, wax melts, room sprays and eco-friendly cleaners like dish soap and laundry detergent.
Her products are currently available at Good Living Market in Warsaw, Owens Fresh Meat Market in Leesburg and her family’s Doughlicious Sourdough Shack. Christner plans to use her scholarship funds to better stock her retail locations, expand her product offerings and enhance her home-based store.
The Y.E.S. program by Matthews’ Painting awards up to $1,000 in grant money to young entrepreneurs, ages 8–17, who live in Kosciusko County. Applicants submit a business plan and present their ideas to the selection committee. In addition to financial support, winners receive mentoring and encouragement to help grow their ventures.
“Aleena is exactly the kind of passionate, hardworking young dreamer we love to support,” said Jason Matthews, owner of Matthews’ Painting and founder of the Y.E.S. program. “We’re honored to play a small part in her big vision.”
