Meet the 14-year-old CEO who has just launched a bikini brand

This Gold-Coast teenager has just become one of Australia’s youngest CEOs after she “bugged” her parents to help her with an idea.

She’s only 14 years old, but Déjà Clark is one of Australia’s youngest CEOs.

The Gold Coast teenager recently launched Sunny Dé, a swimwear brand beloved by her millions of tween followers, transforming her from schoolgirl into a chief executive overnight.

For Déjà, who admits to losing focus in the classroom because she was always sketching dresses and outfits, it’s a “dream come true”.

But the youngest child of Kat and Jonatathan Clark, popular influencers who document their family life – among other things – with their more than 8 million combined followers, has faced criticism for entering the work force too early.

Kat has defended their decision to let Déjà launch her own brand, stating they have taken measures to ensure their daughter isn’t exposed to the downsides of employment too soon.

“At the end of the day Déjà is still a teenager and sometimes business can get very stressful,” she told news.com.au.

“That kind of stress is not something we want to put on Déjà at her age. As she gets older, she will start to gain more and more responsibility within her business.

“But right now we just want to help her as best we can.”

Déjà, who began home schooling at the age of 12 due to her blossoming social media career, was already a co-owner in the skincare brand Kaladé, which she shares with her mum and older sister Latisha Clark.

But she said she knew she wanted to run her own business one day, so why not start now?

Meet Déjà Clark, the 14-year-old CEO who has just launched her own bikini brand. Picture: Instagram/DejaClark

“When I saw my mum working on something she loved, I wanted to try it for myself,” Déjà told news.com.au.

“I started with swimwear because I live right next to the beach and I thought it would be cool to see people wearing my bikinis.

“I also love the beach and my parents always told me to choose something I love.”

Kat echoed this, stating her first job was working in Subway, and it was a gig she didn’t enjoy – but she acknowledged why other parents were concerned.

“Déjà is very lucky she gets to work at a job she loves,” she said.

“I understand why some people would have concerns because it’s not everyday you see a 14-year-old starting a business, but at the end of the day why would I hold my child back from doing something they love?”

Déjà has the support of her parents, including mum Kat seen here wearing one of the Sunny Dé cossies. Picture: Instagram/DejaClark

Initially, she said she and Jonathan were worried, but after Déjà persisted the parents eventually relented and decided to help.

“I was worried it was just going to be another phase and she would get bored,” Kat explained.

“We tried to encourage her to wait a little longer but she would bug us almost daily about ordering samples and getting her website ready.

“She never stopped asking and so after about six months of my husband and I putting things off we finally started working with her to make it happen.”

Sunny Dé officially launched in January with a mix-and-match style bikini range available in two prints, many of which sold out.

To promote the brand, Déjà, Kat and her sister Latisha posted videos in the product that helped bolster interest.

A clip of the mum and daughter-duo in matching pink cossies proved so popular, it garnered over five million views.

“I’m very grateful for the people that not only buy my bikinis but also show me and my business a lot of support, I wouldn’t be able to try these things if it wasn’t for them,” Déjà said.

“There are lots of things in the works that will be coming out very soon and I’m always working on new things.

“I want to get to a point where I’m realising a new collection every month. I know that will take time but that’s my ultimate goal.”

Kat said some have expressed ‘concerns’ about her teen daughter entering the work force at a young age. Picture: Jonathan Ng

But many fans have described her decision as ‘inspiring’. Picture: Instagram/DejaClark

On social media, some praised the teen’s commitment to work while juggling her schooling, describing it as an “inspiration”.

“I love that Déjà started her own business because it’s teaching her how to deal with challenges in the future and I love how supportive Kat and Jonathan are of her,” one wrote on TikTok.

“Starting a business at 14 is commendable,” another agreed.

There were some who suggested that Déjà should focus on being a kid while she’s still young.

“She’s got her whole life to adult,” commented one.