At Lake Highland Preparatory School, most students are juggling more than homework and sports practices. They’re running full-on businesses! From nails and crochet to plushies or even full scale wrestling gear companies, these students are proving that passion projects can extend far beyond the classroom.
For Mabel Lin, grade 9, it all started with a $20 nail kit from Amazon. Mabel explained, “I wanted to learn how to do my own nails last summer, so I bought a kit and taught myself how to paint nails.” What began as a simple pastime quickly transformed into a weekend side hustle. Mabel said, “I enjoyed doing my own nails and wanted to find something that would help me make money and be worthwhile.” Mabel opened an Etsy shop, but at first, it sat empty. She admitted, “I wasn’t able to get any orders.” Instead of giving up, she relied on her friends to spread the word. Once people started ordering, her customer base began to grow.
Kylie Kunkel, also grade 9, took a similar path with her craft business. She said, “I started out making bows just for fun.” As classmates and friends started to show interest, she branched out into new skills like crochet and even marketing. What began as a hobby has now grown into a small business where she offers art pieces and handmade crochet items.
Rachel McKenzie, grade 10, took a different spin on crochet by creating plushies. Her first buyers were her brother’s friends, but soon word spread out and others wanted custom creations. She recalled, “Once I got those orders out, more kids saw the plushies and wanted them.”
Not all Lake Highland entrepreneurs started with crafts, though. Charles DeSena, grade 11, saw an opportunity in a completely different market. At a wrestling tournament three years ago, he noticed kids trading and selling gear with some rare shoes selling for more than $1,000. The moment sparked an idea for his business, Ironthreads, and with the help of a friend, he started an Instagram page dedicated to reselling gear. So far, the page has grown to more than 16,000 followers.
Despite their different and unique markets, each student has faced challenges along the way. Rachel admits it was difficult to get noticed at first. Mabel remembers the discouragement of launching an Etsy shop that sat empty for months. Kylie struggled most with time management, often having to juggle her shop with homework and other activities. For Charles, the biggest hurdle has been navigating shipping tariffs, an issue that’s forced him to rethink his business model and begin developing original products, including a clothing line and even his own custom shoe.
All four entrepreneurs also grapple with balancing school and business. Kylie admits that she still struggles with time management and admitted, “[I] recently had to put my business on a bit of a back burner right now,” so she could study for tests and complete homework without distractions. Mabel only takes orders on weekends, and Rachel makes sure her homework is completed before crocheting. Charles sets aside dedicated blocks of time for Ironthreads and uses digital tools like Trello to stay on top of tasks. He even hired employees to handle daily operations so he and his business partner can focus on staying on top of school work while expanding the brand.
The rewards, however, make all the struggles worthwhile. Charles especially enjoys seeing the results of his hard work. He explained, “ Over the summer I traveled to North Dakota: The same tournament I had first noticed people selling shoes. Being able to connect with customers and people recognizing the brand I had built was very rewarding.” Rachel and Kylie both share the same sentiment, commenting on how they love the way people’s faces light up when they receive their creation. It brings them joy to be able to make things that people love. Mabel, meanwhile, enjoys both the creative and practical sides of her work. She says, “The thing I most enjoy about having my own business is making the nails and earning money.” She goes on about how it’s taught her a lot about managing her own money teaching her life skills along the way.
When asked what advice they’d give their fellow students, they all had their own unique perspectives. Charles encourages taking action without waiting for the perfect plan. He explained that, “By sticking with it and learning from each misstep, things started to click.” Mabel stresses the importance of starting small and testing the waters. She advised, “Invest a small portion of money before committing.” Kylie urged students to embrace mistakes as a part of growth. She encouraged, “You don’t have to have everything figured out — just start with something you really enjoy.” Finally, Rachel reminded students, “Remember about school and make sure your grades do not drop because of other commitments.”
Whether it’s nails, bows, plushies, or wrestling shoes, these Highlanders are proving that entrepreneurship isn’t just for adults. Their stories show that with creativity, strong time management, and some good old fashioned grit, even a simple hobby can evolve into something so much bigger. For other students dreaming of starting their own ventures, the Lake Highland students are living proof that dedication and innovation can open doors you never imagined.
