In today’s world, young people are leaning more into entrepreneurship before even graduating from high school.
In addition to providing teenagers with a source of income, student-owned businesses are essential in cultivating creativity in the youth. By launching and managing their own enterprises, students also gain priceless leadership and financial experience to assist them with nearly every future endeavor. Moreover, student-owned businesses can help drive local economic growth and motivate other juvenile innovators to get involved through job opportunities and programs geared toward career development.
One such business is the Dreams of Sugar bakery in Brooklyn, New York. 17-year-old Jayla Finner co-founded the popular hot spot with help from her 13-year-old twin sisters, Jacie and Joie. The siblings came up with the concept in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Together with mom Jamie Rice, Dreams of Sugar has been flourishing.
Now heading into her senior year, Jayla dedicates her free time to the bakery, acknowledging that while school takes up much of her day, the bakery is where she invests her evenings and weekends. “The key to overcoming stress is doing what makes you happy,” she shares. Her advice to other young entrepreneurs? “Do what makes YOU happy and don’t let others steer you away from your dreams. Surround yourself with people who support and believe in you.”
Jacie, who also plays sports, has learned to carefully organize her time, helping out at the bakery after classes and on weekends. She recalls transitioning from home baking to running a full-fledged bakery as one of her biggest challenges, but one that became enjoyable over time. Her advice to others is to start with what they’re already good at and gradually build new skills, reminding young entrepreneurs that “there’s no need to hurry; achieving great results takes time.”
Joie, who juggles school, extracurriculars, and bakery duties, finds that focusing on weekends helps her balance her responsibilities. She admits that one of her biggest challenges has been learning the wide variety of cupcake flavors and other treats they offer, but she’s gotten the hang of it. Her advice? “Don’t jinx your blessings.”
Elsewhere in Englewood, New Jersey, Cory Nieves began growing his vision at age six when he began selling hot chocolate in his neighborhood. His goal was to help his mother, “Cookie” Howard, buy a car. Over time, Cory started incorporating cookies into his operation, and with Howard’s help, they launched Mr. Cory’s Cookies. The pair began selling their cookies at local markets and festivals, becoming more and more popular. The mother and son duo appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2015, which skyrocketed their company. Today, Mr. Cory’s Cookies are made to order in the Englewood area.
Balancing school and business hasn’t always been easy for Cory. “At first, it was a bit challenging. My mom used to run the business 100%, and I would take over during the summer or on my days off. But right now, I’ve taken some time off from school due to personal issues,” he shares.
Like many entrepreneurs, Cory has faced significant challenges, including a major setback during COVID-19 when they lost 80% of their business. “People often think entrepreneurship is glamorous, but it’s more like a glass wall—you can’t see inside, and there are a lot of bumps along the way,” he says. Despite these hurdles, Cory remains focused and advises other young entrepreneurs to stay true to their passions, take it slow, and have fun along the way.
Another teen making waves in the sweets industry is Scottsdale, Arizona’s 14-year-old Sadie Barkley. She launched Sadie’s Sweet and Salty Pretzels in 2023. Her special treats consist of pretzels dipped in chocolate and various toppings. Though she has no physical location, Sadie’s custom pretzels are made to order and available for shipping.
These student-run companies provide high-quality products while laying a foundation for the next generation.
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