From fast-food restaurants to grocery stores, some students have started working their first jobs. Occupations give students the chance to ease their way into the working world.

Meanwhile, other students have opted away from the traditional route, and instead have begun creating their own entrepreneurial ventures.

A number of students on campus have created their own start-up businesses and embraced the entrepreneurial spirit. Several have utilized social media as a way to support and grow their side hustle.

One social-media based business, Kynadie Paige Designs, ran by junior Kynadie Smallwood and sells homecoming mums, resin keychains, bookmarks, bracelets and various other items.

“[Social media] has definitely helped a lot as you can boost posts, pay for ads, and have friends repost stuff,” Smallwood said. “Social media just keeps going and you reach tons of people.”

Senior Judith Sanchez said that she believes social media has impacted her amateur lash extension business, and is an invaluable resource for her small business.

“Social media has 100% boosted my business in such a positive way,” Sanchez said. “I post Instagram pictures or TikToks of what I do and how I do the lash extensions.”

Some students utilize social media platform’s instant messaging, posting and sharing features to promote their business and receive orders.

“I get appointments through DMs,” Sanchez said. “They message me what style of eyelashes they want and their prices, then they make an appointment for whatever day I have posted for that week or month.”

Lash extensions, nail art, and other cosmetics are some common services offered by student-run businesses. Other student start-ups provide goods ranging from art pieces to crocheted clothing.

“Right now I am making little coasters, backpack tags and I’ve made sweaters too,” junior Emery Ford said.

With the increase of activity in small businesses due to social media usage students have been using different systems to balance their time between school and business.

“If I’m done in class, and don’t have any homework to do, I’ll work on a crochet project in school sometimes,” Ford said. “If I’m struggling with doing my homework, I’ll set timers and do ten minutes of homework and five minutes of crochet to make myself focus.”

Instagrams for the businesses mentioned
Judith Sanchez (Lash extensions) – @judithslashboutique
Kynadie Smallwood (Resin keychains, Mums, etc) – @kynadie.paige.designs
Emery Ford (Crochet items) – @crochetbyemery
Gisselle Fuentes (Baked goods) – @bakedbygisselle