There are students with big ideas in every corner of South.
With creativity, passion and innovation, students are turning their innovative ideas into businesses. From nail techs to cookie sellers, there are young entrepreneurs all around the building.
South High senior Lucila Aguilar started her home-based nail tech business with a simple goal in mind: to make money. She was also just interested, she explained. Like many young entrepreneurs, she said she saw an opportunity to pursue something she was passionate about while earning income.
On the other hand, junior Destiny Rodriguez’s family background played a big role in her entrepreneurial journey of starting a business selling bouquets, cakes and chocolate-covered strawberries. “My mom used to sell cheesecakes in Arizona, and when we moved here, she also wanted to keep doing business. So, we started advancing and now sell these things.”
Social media platforms are also a great way for young entrepreneurs to reach a wider audience and grow their business. To promote her business, Aguilar said she relies on the power of social media. “I post pictures and do discounted deals on Instagram, Facebook and Tik Tok,” she said. Likewise, Rodriguez uses Instagram while also spreading the word through family and friends.
When it comes to client satisfaction, Aguilar said she likes to keep things simple; she always makes sure to be nice and does her best at what she’s good at. It is a great way to build strong relationships with customers and get them to come back again, she explained. Client satisfaction is key to Rodriguez as well; she said she is always making sure to ask for feedback. “We like to ask them short questions like what we did good on and what we can improve on after they have received their order.”
Like many entrepreneurs, both students have faced challenges on their journeys. Rodriguez faced challenges in a competitive market. “When everyone else also started selling bouquets, we started to lose clients. But we were able to better our prices and services and gain our clients back.”
Aguilar is also no exception. “I really struggled with the shaping of the nail and sometimes difficult nail art,” she said. Overcoming these obstacles has helped both grow and improve their skills.
Balancing school with business is never an easy thing. Both students make sure to manage their time wisely, and they both make sure to schedule their work after school ends. Aguilar has early release which allows her to keep pursuing her business without sacrificing her education.
Rodriguez has also learned to manage her time. If she has an order to complete, she eats a quick snack after school and gets right to working, she said. She also has certain days she runs errands and gets everything she needs for the week.
For both Rodriguez and Aguilar, the money keeps them motivated to keep working, but for Rodriguez it is more than just the money. “What keeps me motivated is the fact that if I ever run into a problem or don’t succeed in my career, I know I’m capable of doing something else.” The financial independence and skills gained from entrepreneurship have offered her a sense of security for her future.
For students who plan to start their own business, Aguilar has some good advice. “Trust the process, and don’t rush it” because entrepreneurship requires patience, dedication and a willingness to learn along the way. Rodriguez’s advice is also simple yet powerful. “If you really want to pursue it, keep trying. Sometimes it is going to go slow, and you won’t have as many clients. But you must take it slow and trust the process.”
These insights from these young entrepreneurs show that with the right passion, mindset and persistence, high school students can turn their interests into businesses.
