By Jada Evans

Staff Writer

From side hustles to small businesses, some students have gotten a little creative in their efforts to make money while completing high school. While many students have desires to begin their own small business after they graduate, these students didn’t wait to graduate to turn their dreams into reality. 

Hard working senior Tarynn Lewis is the owner of @theeluxefloralco account on instagram. She’s owned this account for 5 months now and it has become popular. She uses her account to advertise and sell her beautiful handcrafted flower bouquets.

Lewis, who now makes bouquets every day, launched her small business in January of 2024. She states that she has been planning and preparing her business for 7 months since July 2023. “ I sold my first bouquet on Feburary 1st and from there to Valentine’s Day, it really just blew up!”  Lewis said.

“Lately I’ve been nonstop working on a lot of bouquets for promposals, and now my business is really progressing” 

“I began to handcraft flower bouquets because I’ve always admired them and I love the fact that there will always be an occasion for flowers, and a reason to make someone’s day,” said Lewis. Student Lewis hasn’t been working on this journey alone; she says that her mother is her main working partner. “My mom has been my biggest help and supporter along this journey, she’s helped me with the technique of making the bouquets. I can see that 5 years later my business will expand and be bigger than what it is now”.  

Balancing school work while also running a business has its challenges, but senior Brooklinn Bettis said that balancing school and her work has helped teach her how to become more organized.  “It’s definitely overwhelming at times, and it’s definitely made me become a more of an organized person, but I think the most important part of it all is being consistent.” Bettis sells her treats on instagram account @bk.sweetery_. 

From baking cupcakes and selling them just for a dollar, Bettis’ business has grown a lot from the time she began her business in January of 2022. Now she bakes for many events such as birthday’s, weddings, baby showers, and more.

“I love to see the reaction people’s faces when they taste my treats, that always makes me proud of myself,” said Bettis.  business has grown a lot from the time she began her business in January of 2022. Now she bakes for many events such as birthday’s, weddings, baby showers, and more.

“I love to see the reaction people’s faces when they taste my treats, that always makes me proud of myself,” said Bettis.