057: Small Bits of Happiness with Mercedes and Anastasia Korngut

What inspires two teenagers to create a business dedicated to spreading joy and building connections in a world that often feels overwhelming? 17 year old Mercedes and 14 year old Anastasia are sisters and co-founders of the company, Small Bits of Happiness. Their mission is to help individuals of all ages find more happiness in daily life as well as build happy habits and connections. As two teens, Mercedes and Anastasia understand firsthand the difficulties of teenage-hood, including not only the hormonal changes that tweens and teens undergo, but the added stressors of war, post-pandemic life, and beyond. Small Bits of Happiness has reached over 4 million teens and adults. Mercedes and Anastasia have been featured on national news and media, spoken at schools and conventions across North America, and host the podcast - Hack Your Happiness. They have also designed a series of happiness-wellness products for tweens, teens, adults and schools.   Listen in as we talk about: 01:00 Meet Mercedes and Anastasia 03:06 Finding happiness in the little things 06:50 The power of connection 08:15 Happiness in everyday moments 10:15 The importance of small bits of happiness 12:26 Balancing school, business, and life 15:29 Learning in the business world 19:08 Building stronger parent-teen connections 23:59 Supporting teens through life’s struggles 27:21 Hack Your Happiness podcast 30:30 Happiness tools and resources 32:26 Looking ahead with Small Bits of Happiness 33:15 Their mom = their most impactful teacher 35:15 Celebrating growth and achievements 37:26 Embracing growth and believing in yourself   Connect with Mercedes and Anastasia: Website: https://smallbitsofhappiness.com/  LinkedIn: Small Bits of Happiness Instagram: @small.bits.of.happiness TikTok: @smallbitsofhappiness YouTube: Small Bits of Happiness Podcast: Hack Your Happiness Retail Collection: ShopBits   Connect with Tiana: Website: https://tianafech.com LinkedIn: Tiana Fech Instagram: @tianafech  Facebook: @tianafech  Book: Online Course Creation 101: A step-by-step guide to creating your first online course    FINDING HAPPINESS IN THE LITTLE THINGS When the pandemic hit, Mercedes and Anastasia found themselves struggling with the weight of the world - teenage challenges, global uncertainty, and everyday stress. But instead of letting it consume them, they decided to focus on the small, good things like enjoying a treat, going for a walk, or sharing a laugh. Realizing they weren’t the only teens feeling overwhelmed, they launched Small Bits of Happiness, a social media project to spread positivity. What started as a simple family practice turned into a growing movement, reaching peers through quotes, funny videos, and uplifting messages. It all began with brainstorming in their dad’s office, jotting down ideas on a chalkboard, and taking small steps forward. Happiness doesn’t have to come from big, life-changing moments. Sometimes, it’s found in the little things we choose to notice every day.   THE POWER OF CONNECTION Through their work with Small Bits of Happiness, Mercedes and Anastasia have discovered that one of the biggest challenges people face isn’t just finding happiness. It’s finding connection. Psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky shared on their podcast that connection is one of the most powerful ways to boost happiness, yet a growing gap exists between parents and their teens. With screens, friends, and busy schedules in the mix, meaningful moments can slip away. That’s why they focus on offering simple, tangible ways for families to connect, knowing that even small efforts can make a big difference in how we feel every day. Happiness and connection go hand in hand. When we take the time to truly connect with others, we all feel a little brighter.   HAPPINESS IN EVERYDAY MOMENTS With life’s busy pace, it’s easy to overlook the little things that bring us joy. Mercedes and Anastasia remind us that happiness doesn’t have to come from big,