While ACHS recognizes the hard work of our student-athletes, musicians, and leaders, we should not overlook one group of students. Our student entrepreneurs run businesses outside of school hours, and these humble hustlers are putting in work like no other. We certainly should not neglect grades and sports, but running a young business can create a heavy to-do list. What creativity, organization, and motivation does it take for student entrepreneurs to blossom? Sit back and relax as I introduce you to some of American Canyon High School’s hardest-working businessmen and women.
First up, we have Alexandra Castro(or “Alex”), our first and only junior in this article, who sells her art (@alexsrooom on Instagram). She sells many different crafts, from necklaces to keychains and, just recently, zines. Alex started her business in December 2020, making her the owner of an almost two-year-old company. Combining her interest in working with metal and requests to make wired rings, she started her account, making jewelry, and soon started showcasing other artworks of hers. Over just two years, her business has gained lots of traction. She has vendored at several school events, and you can even catch ACHS students wearing her colorful necklaces and keychains. “I really love seeing the way my business has grown and hope to see more growth within the following years. It’s something that started off really simple and has developed into a greater part of my life,” she shared.
To the right, you’ll find a picture of ACHS students modeling Alex’s unique jewelry. She adds, “One of the best things about owning a small business (especially one supported by so many people at school) is walking around and seeing people wear my jewelry or have my stickers,” illustrating that while her art does serve as HER outlet of creativity, students feel self-expreesed when they wear her products. Even as her business thrives here at ACHS, she projects more growth, “I hope to start selling in-store more, especially this year. I also hope to get into things other than jewelry and zines.” I do not doubt that her products are likely to gain more traction as more people begin to appreciate her obvious passion for mastering and sharing other forms of art.
Though she does mention her ideas for changes and new ideas in her business, she stresses one of the most important values she’s learned, consistency. “Being consistent is something that is so difficult, but I find that being consistent in creating also creates habits for myself in everyday life.” Living a double life as a student and an entrepreneur can be overwhelming. She remarks, “November and October have been more chaotic than before with a zine release back in October and So-so market in San Francisco this month!” However, with her creative consistency, only positive growth is projected for Alex. For anyone wanting to start a business, she advises,
“..go for it and follow what feels right. Make sure your target audience is who you want it to be.”
In addition to being one of our best Girls' Varsity Volleyball players, Arianna Pacheco, a senior, is a well-known lash technician in our community(@ariilashedit). After taking a class to receive a certification, she was able to start her business on November 17th, almost a year ago. Though there are tangible rewards, Arianna’s motivation stems from the more ethical rewards; “I love enhancing and making others feel more beautiful, and providing the service of lash extensions does as such.” Currently, Arianna holds several monthly appointments in the comfort of her home and mainly 'lashes' her close friends and family. She emphasizes, “I project to have more clientele and attraction towards my business! Hopefully, I can expand and work in my own studio one day.”
Any student would agree that finding the perfect balance between work and school can be difficult. Arianna explains, “...I have to juggle school, volleyball, and my business! ...it was definitely difficult to balance...” However, although juggling can be very exhausting, Arianna illustrates how it taught her about time management, “It progressively got easier to make a schedule that accommodates my business and school.” And from this, she grew, “... I learned to use my time wisely, and space out my priorities to avoid being burnt out.” Her perseverance and ability to find the silver lining make her a great entrepreneur.
She shares her advice for anyone striving to be a young entrepreneur or a small business owner,
“..start your own business. It may seem scary and overwhelming at first, but don’t give up. Time and patience is the key to growth for small businesses!”
Our next student entrepreneur also plays volleyball for our Varsity Boys' Volleyball team. Jerome Maneja, a senior, has just begun his home barbershop (@romeclips). Although his business started on October 1st this year, his interest in cutting hair was born during quarantine. He says, “I’ve had my business for about a month now, and I feel as if it’s really progressed!” An expensive price may cause hesitation when getting your hair cut, but no need with Jerome! “Overall, a Clipper Cut would be $12 whilst a Full Cut with Style would be $15,” a respectable price for a haircut and an enjoyable experience in the chair.
Jerome’s motivation stems from experiences he gets from “both the learning aspect and the people that I get to meet and interact with... just [being] able to get to know them more,” illustrating that even outside of school, he still serves as a student in his barbershop. However, he still works as his own boss, emphasizing, “The best thing would be being able to be on your own schedule and time. You get to manage your own time and manage who and when you can take someone.”
Each client is like a new canvas for barbers to paint, with different ideas of the art they want on them. Along with time management and communication skills, Jerome’s barbershop has given him the ability to cater to the needs of different clients. He explains, “Being able to practice cutting has also developed my technique in different sorts of ways.” Not only does he hope to evolve as a barber by gaining more clients and haircutting skills, but he also hopes to grow socially, learning more about people through pleasant conversations. For a rookie in the barber industry, Jerome’s eagerness to learn and acceptance to change will make him both a strong businessman and barber. His advice for other rookies?
“Patience and Persistence…you will grow in so many ways.”
Our last spotlighted student entrepreneur, Telorah Kawakami, is the founder of her family boba drink business, TeaJ’s (@teajsdrinks). She explains, “For those who have not yet had boba, it is flavorful drinks topped with delicious tapioca pearls soaked in a brown sugar syrup to create happiness in a cup!” She began creating drinks at home, but after sharing with family and friends and receiving positive feedback, she decided to turn her new hobby into a business. Most importantly, she prioritizes inclusivity, “I wanted to create a non-dairy boba brand that everyone of all ages could enjoy,” and she did.
TeaJ’s started as a boba delivery service, mainly serving American Canyon and Vallejo residents. She posted a preorder menu every Thursday, and took orders until 6 PM the next day. She explains, “My Friday night/Saturday morning would consist of making drinks and double-checking orders. My parents and I would spend our Saturdays delivering orders all around the area."
"Fast forward two years later and we are doing catering, boba bars, festivals, and events!” From day one her parents have been her biggest supporters, as she thanks her mom for helping her make drinks every weekend, and her dad for help with deliveries and heavy lifting. She expresses her gratitude in a recent interview, “...without them, my business and I would not be where it is today… TeaJ’s is a family business as it does not just take one person, but three.”
While her business has helped her build close connections with her family, it also serves as an outlet to help build her social skills. She explains, “TeaJ’s allowed me to meet amazing people which in turn, have led me to amazing opportunities. As much as I love meeting new people, I love seeing how happy boba makes them and I love being able to see others happy,” a priceless reward.
Though it is sometimes difficult to balance her business with school, Telorah credits her parents for frequently helping her while she was busy. But still, she only projects growth for her business, “My long-term goal is to make TeaJ’s a worldwide business with locations all over the world. We are currently working on opening a boba truck or brick-and-mortar store in American Canyon!” Through her struggles, Telorah has gained confidence in social and communication skills and made meaningful connections with customers and, most importantly, her family; all essential aspects that will only help her business grow. She adds..
“For anyone trying to create their own business..do not give up on yourself..as long as you continue to believe in yourself, you will make it.”
Many find the work these students have put in and their passion to be inspiring. Each entrepreneur has had to work as both their own boss AND employee, while also working as a full-time ACHS student. It isn’t always easy, but Alex, Arianna, Jerome, and Telorah have all proved that a partnership between passion and profession is rewarding for both themselves and their customers. Through the highs and lows of being an entrepreneur, owning a business can help you develop essential life skills. Their unique focus on growth and self-improvement gives them blooming creativity and unmatched mentality, an advantage that takes many people years to discover. The rewards of their passion and creativity create the perfect motivation and mentality to continue running their businesses. There is much to learn from these young hustlers, and who knows- you might catch them around school! So be sure to support these student entrepreneurs, as local businesses always appreciate new clients and customers!
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