In high school it can be hard sometimes to find a well paying job to fund the many trips to Starbucks or Taco Bell. With a standard tall latte being $3-5 without customizations, and a Crunchwrap Supreme from Taco Bell Costing $5-6 by itself.
The average student relies on either their minimum wage job or chores from their parents to earn money. Some students have found a way around this issue by using their creativity to sell goods or services. Students have new opportunities right at their fingertips to make a quick buck, but only some have taken the opportunity. Side hustles have been around but never seemed to spark the interest of the younger generation but now there seems to be more of an interest for students to take the risk and make a little extra money.
Sr. Cameron Davenport drives for DoorDash which is a delivery service for food and other goods. DoorDash is used by many all across the country and makes getting takeout simple. Davenport got his start when he recently turned 18 a few months ago. “Just something I could do to make money on the side because it actually pays surprisingly well,” Davenport said. DoorDash makes the experience easy for both the driver and the customer by providing all the information in the app and makes ordering takeout really flexible. “I like that I’m my own boss, there is no one telling me what to do, I can work as long or for as little time as I please, and plus I also just get to drive around and listen to music.
My only complaint is that it can get a little repetitive but other than that there’s not much to complain about.” Davenport gave recommendations for anyone looking to drive for DoorDash. “I recommend not accepting every order you see. It’s a tough balance because sometimes the pay may not be worth the drive and you can see all of that before you accept the offer. You don’t wanna decline too many orders though cause it will make your acceptance rate lower which is bad.”
While some students earn money through businesses with steady income, others leverage their marketing skills to resell items or advertise products for potential buyers at competitive prices. This requires strategic advertising, responding to customer inquiries, and ensuring customer satisfaction.
Jr. Jasper Westendorp sells items on “Depop” which is a site that is similar to Facebook Marketplace or Poshmark but more fit for the younger generation. “What got me into doing Depop was always being interested in fashion and how I present myself in general. I think clothing in general is one of the best ways to express who you are,” Said Westendorp. Depop makes selling online super simple for selling used clothes, shoes, accessories, etc. “I like how easy it is to ship things on Depop, I don’t like how people like to lowball, but I do the same thing so I can’t blame them,” Said Westendorp.
Many teens are starting to hop on the trend of reselling clothes that either they don’t want anymore or thrift store finds just to sell to make a profit. Westendorp shared his advice on getting started. “I would say to be consistent in keeping up your inventory and posting new pieces, along with keeping your prices low depending on the item.” Check out Westendorp on Depop @vampjj23 he hopes to have new items coming soon!
Profiting from used items has long been a successful venture, and it remains a popular choice today. However, many students are now diving into entrepreneurship and launching their own businesses. This journey requires plenty of brainstorming to stand out from the crowd while still offering products or services that appeal to customers.
Sr. Ella Sandstedt started her own business doing nails back in the summer and advertises her work on Instagram. “I first tried gel polish at a spa party with some friends and instantly loved the idea of having a full manicure for a fraction of the price. That experience sparked my interest, and over the next few months, I worked on mastering the technique and perfecting intricate designs. As I improved, I realized how much I truly enjoyed doing nails. My friends started asking for me to do their nails and I realized I could make a profit from my hobby,” Said Sandstedt.
Businesses charge quite a lot of money to have similar work done which adds up quickly for students who like to get a new set regularly. Sandstedt found a way to be able to do similar work for much cheaper than your everyday nail tech. “I like that I have the ability to have cool nails and saying I did them myself is pretty cool. The only downside is nail products are expensive, and doing them takes a lot of time. I have sped up the process a bit, but the harder designs take longer to do,” Said Sandstedt. Ella hopes to continue her hobby and get better and better over time. For anyone looking to get started this is what she recommends. “If you are wanting to do nails, I would recommend watching tutorial videos and researching a lot before buying products.” You can find Ella on Instagram @acrylicsbyella_
As new opportunities continue to emerge, the younger generation is increasingly seizing ways to earn extra income on the side. Students are tapping into their creativity to attract business, and this trend is only supposed to grow. The question is, what will the next big side hustle be?
