We all know slime. With ASMR and oh-so-satisfying bubble popping taking over our feeds, this ooey-gooey boredom buster is everywhere right now. But for Milena Khadzhi, slime is more than just a scroll-stopping moment—it’s a source of healing, creativity and serious girlboss energy. 

From coping to creating

Hazel Slimes was born when Milena was just 13, during an incredibly difficult time in her life. After the loss of her father in 2021, she turned to slime as a way to process her emotions.

What started as a simple distraction quickly became something more. Making slime gave her a creative outlet and a way to connect with her mom and four younger siblings during a time when they needed each other most.

Before launching online, Milena tested her creations at a local farmers market. And the response? Instant validation.

“It was surprising for us because we did really well. As we were packing up, we had some kids come by. They wanted to trade things with us for our slime because they really liked it,” Milena shares.

Safe to say: instant fanbase!

The not-so-sticky learning curve

If you’ve ever tried to DIY slime, you already know—it’s not as easy as it looks. One wrong ratio, and suddenly you’ve got a gluey disaster.

“When I first made slime, it was kind of hard to understand how to make it and what ingredients to use,” Milena says. Now, she’s mastered the art of mixing textures, scents and add-ins. And tbh, that trial-and-error phase is exactly what helped her grow.

If Milena’s learned anything from the experience, it’s that building a business isn’t always smooth. Between school and fulfilling orders, balancing it all can be a lot—but Milena has a built-in support system to lean on. 

Community = everything

At Hazel Slimes, everyone pitches in—and that’s part of what makes it so special. “It helps to have family there,” Milena dishes. “They come up with different kinds of slime and help put everything together.”

Milena’s mom helps manage the business side, while her siblings assist with everything from labeling orders to brainstorming new ideas. Even her younger sister, Albina, got in on the fun with an Instagram series featuring slime-making in different locations.

And while Hazel Slimes continues to grow, Milena says one of the best parts has been sharing her business with others—and seeing their reactions.

“Telling my friends that I have my own business and they’re like, ‘That’s so cool!’ is definitely one of my favorite parts,” she says. “And my extended family loves to buy from us. Whenever we go visit, they always ask if we brought new slime. It’s nice to know that I have so many friends and family who support me.”

Big dreams ahead

As for what’s next? Milena is taking things one step at a time—and staying grounded in what matters most to her. “I lean on God for where it should go,” Milena explains.

And no matter what the future holds, her goal stays the same: spreading joy to others.

Milena’s story is proof that something small can turn into something truly meaningful. Whether it’s slime, journaling, music or just spending time with people you love, creative outlets can help you heal, grow and find little moments of joy—even on the hardest days.

And who knows? Your “just for fun” hobby might turn into something way bigger than you ever imagined.

Stay up to date with Milena and Hazel Slimes on Instagram!

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