A survey of 1,000 teenagers conducted by Wakefield Research in 2018 found that 69% of teens have considered starting a business but are unsure of how to start. Mt. Eden senior Jennifer Molina Leiva, sophomore Vy Nguyen, and junior Dayanara Perez have already launched their own businesses, ranging from floral arrangement, handcrafting accessories, and nail services respectively.

Starting a business takes “determination, desire, consistency, and a sense of urgency,” according to Entrepreneurship teacher Aaron Rosas.

There are many positives to starting a business. Entrepreneurship experience can aid students in discovering their passions. Often, students are presented with the options of going to college or the workforce, and less aware of alternative post-graduation paths like becoming a boss. 

“I want to be able to have a school or a salon where people can learn how to do these things because I feel like there aren’t a lot of opportunities to learn these types of things,” said Perez. She currently runs @flackas_beauty_studio_, where she does nails and, in the future, hopes to add lash extensions and makeup.

Starting one’s own business allows for more freedoms such as directly managing and organizing one’s work hours, responsibilities, and profit. Such experience provides students with a financial foundation, preparing them for the future. Starting a business in high school can also give students an advantage in college applications by demonstrating initiative and leadership.

However, starting a business at a young age comes with disadvantages like having to manage your time and priorities. “A lot of people underestimate the amount of time that it takes—and effort—for you to get a business started and continue to pursue that. You really wanna have to do it,” said Rosas.

Young entrepreneurs at Mt. Eden attest to the difficulty of balancing schoolwork and extracurricular activities with their businesses:

“It’s just so challenging managing it all. Managing school, work, and then my business. And then, with soccer, military training—that’s very challenging for me. Like, there will be times where I would come back from work and I would just make bouquets until like 12,” said Molina Leiva, who commissions customized bouquets at @flowersbyjennii on Instagram.

Nguyen, who sells jewelry and accessories at @luvyslovee on Instagram, adds that customers often overlook the time and effort it takes to run a business alongside other priorities. “A lot of times, customers are very—they want to rush you without knowing what your problem is. And a lot of times you’ll face rude customers but all you gotta do is put on a nice face and be nice to them,” said Nguyen.

Despite these struggles, Molina Leiva encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams: “Keep going and never give up. Sometimes it can get discouraging because you start to doubt yourself and your work but with more practice, you will get better and your days will be better.”