There are many different ways that students express themselves, whether it is the way they dress or activities they participate in. Small businesses are a creative way to branch out and make a brand out of something that one is passionate about. 

   One of the students, Nenela Feza, senior, had a brand where she made her own jewelry and sold it locally. She kept this business, Nela Jewels, running for about a year making most of her profit from supporters at school. 

   “With things that I like, I just turned it into a brand,” said Feza.

 Two other seniors, Shamir Jernigan and Jayceon Scott, have clothing brands that consist of sweatshirts, shorts, and t-shirts. Scott’s brand, Take That Risk, is emphasized on motivational messages, such as “Risk it or Regret it” and “Take that Risk or Lose that Chance”. Jernigan’s brand is known as Flawed Standard, where he produces attire that mirrors the media. 

   “I might get inspired with things I see on the internet or things I see going on in the world,” said Jernigan.

   There are so many inspirations in the world where students get their ideas from to make it into something creative.

   “I went on TikTok and saw people making jewelry,” said Feza. “They were selling it for $40 and I thought oh I could make that too, so I did.”

   Sharing your hobbies and interests while making it into a selling product for others to enjoy, allows students to interact more with each other as their brands cater towards people of our age.

   “It’s definitely advertised towards the youth,” said Jernigan

   Before Jernigan’s success, he explained that he got noticed by a few people at school for wearing something that he made. This led him to realize he could start selling his creations, which he has now been doing for about two years with about three majors drops. 

  Creating these small brands has influenced an exposure to future plans regarding careers, specifically in the business field. 

   “Go to college and major in business sales and continue the brand” said Scott.

   This hobby constructs a path for students to find a line of work that they enjoy. By pursuing this passion at such a young age , these students are able to identify specific goals for after high school. 

   “I want to open a store for other small businesses and brands that don’t get a lot of love,” explained Jernigan when discussing his future plans.  

   Although Feza has ended her jewelry line, she plans on becoming a nail technician in the future. Her steps towards this are starting on her friends and then continuing on to beauty school after she graduates. As well as Jernigan and Scott, they also plan on continuing to follow through with their goals for the future. They both plan on indefinitely releasing new clothing items for their brand. While speaking to them one on one they both hinted at dropping new merchandise soon. Please show these small businesses some love on Instagram @flawedstandard (Jernigan)  and @xtakethatrisk (Scott). 

   “I would like to expand my company and gain more customers to support my brand so this is a cool way to do it,” said Scott.