Forget what you know about lazy teens– some East Neck students are running businesses between bells! From baking and making custom jewelry to braiding hair, doing nails or photography- students are finding creative ways to turn their passions into profits. These ventures aren’t only about making money; they showcase the determination and resourcefulness of a generation that’s already thinking beyond the classroom.
Sophomore William Shoener became interested in photography when he realized he liked capturing memories with he people he cares about. “At first, I just took photos of my friends before formal events and at games,” he said. “The I started editing them and posting them on Instagram, and people started asking if I could take their pictures.” Shoener now photographs school sports events; he’s always ready to shoot any game if it means making someone smile. “It’s nice seeing how excited people get when they get their photos back. I get to be creative, and I’m building a portfolio.”
Christina Win has built a best schedule around doing nails. “I just posted my September dates on Instagram,” Win said. “I write everything in my planner so I don’t double-book. My weekends fill up fast and sometimes I stay up late finishing homework after clients, but it’s worth it. I really enjoy doing nails and the money helps out at home.”
Aliyah Blanco does hair and started braiding because salons and individual stylist were becoming expensive. “Getting braids done can cost $170 or more and I wasn’t going to keep paying that,” she said. “I taught myself and now people ask me to do theirs. I post my styles on my story and that’s how most of my clients find me.” Blanco explained that saving money was on of her biggest motivators at first, but over time, doing hair became something she looked forward to “I like knowing people can get a style they love without spending too much. It kind of forces me to learn to have some more patience.”
Balancing school on top of extracurriculars and a side hustle isn’t always easy, but students like Shoener, Win and Blanco have found ways to make it work. Outside of their businesses, they’re strengthening their time management skills and building a strong sense of responsibility: qualities they’ll carry with them long after high school.
Independence is what sets side hustles apart from traditional jobs. A traditional job usually has set hours, a boss, and a steady paycheck. A side hustle, on the other hand, is something students run themselves. Side hustles also help students connect and support one another. Students repost each other’s work, recommend services and even collaborate. A baker might team up with a photographer for a giveaway, or a braider might offer discounted styles for a school event. Sharing work helps everyone grow their clientele and build a stronger student community. All in all, students are figuring out how to promote themselves on social media, keep clients happy, handle payments, and stay organized. Along the way, many people end up realizing the actually have a fist for running a business and love turning something they enjoy into work that helps others.
It’s clear that side hustles aren’t just a trend. They are part of what makes East Meck’s students body unique.
