Whether it’s popular food chains like Chick-fil-A and McDonald’s, or large grocery stores like Walmart or Dillons, there’s always a chance you’ll bump into a DHS student in the middle of earning a paycheck. 

Some students, however, make their money independently by turning their passions and hobbies into full-fledged business ventures.

One such student is junior Layla Kelly, who started her nail business Nail Art by Layla in November 2024. 

She started off doing her own nails and discovered that she really enjoyed it. Then, she branched out and started making nail sets for her friends as well. 

Soon enough, though, she had buyers outside of her social circle. 

“When starting a business, especially in high school, it can be hard to reach a wide audience and build a clientele,” Kelly said, “But with the help of my family and friends, I surpassed that problem.”

While making her nails is a time-consuming task, she has no plans to give up on her business. Kelly plans to keep it up throughout her time in high school and into college, then become a nail technician as a side job.

“Don’t worry about what other people think of you,” Kelly said. “If you love it, do it.” 

Another junior entrepreneur is Chloe Phelps. She started her business, Art by Bugs, in 2021, and sells custom art pieces through various mediums, such as crochet, sewing, pencil drawing and digital art. 

She found inspiration through the other artists of the world and decided to try her hand at selling her own stuff. But it wasn’t just for the money.

“I can make art, I can design things and I’m not just some person that exists. I’m somebody who can make art and who can make people happy,” Phelps said, “I love it to see people super excited when they get their final piece, I love seeing them enjoy the product that I finish.”

A lot of handmade art, especially custom pieces, is considerably expensive. Mostly due to the labor and material costs. Phelps, however, is committed to keeping her prices low, so her art can be enjoyed by just about anyone.

“I always saw things that I was like, oh, but those are too expensive. So I started selling my stuff, and telling them (her clients) what I thought a fair price would be.” Phelps said.

Phelps bases her business’s success on her and her clients’ happiness rather than how much money hits her bank, and as long as she can continue to create and share her art with the world, she is content. With or without a business to show for it.

On a yummier note, freshman Jayda Haywood started her business, Cookie Couture, in January 2026. As the name suggests, she sells cookies.

She really liked baking and was looking for another way to make money outside of her other job as a banquet server.

Though things didn’t start easily, the stresses of life and high school were a big barrier for her.

“Balancing my time. That was probably my biggest challenge. I just didn’t know when to do it, because during the week I have school, and I could’ve done it after school, but it takes until midnight to finish everything. During the weekends, I work.” Haywood said, “So just trying to find a system that works and get everything done.”

Eventually, though, she would find a good way of time management for herself. Saturdays are her dough days, when she gets all of the dough prepared and chilled. Then bakes and decorates on Sunday, and by Monday, she is ready to hand them out to her customers. 

“I want to get to where people can be like, ‘oh, have you seen Cookie Couture?’ like on Instagram or wherever I want to post,” Haywood said. 

But, if you aren’t too hungry at the moment and want to spice up your look, sophomore Ronaldo Solis might have just what you’re looking for. Solis is a barber and started his business, Faded by Ronaldo Three One Six, in 2024.

“This was my dream job. I didn’t start because of an influencer or anything, it’s just always been what I wanted to do, and I wanted to start early,” Solis said.

Appearance, though, is important to just about everyone. And being responsible for how someone else ends up looking is a big job. 

“At first, when you’re messing people up and not doing well, you get haters. Obviously, people aren’t going to come, and you’re not profiting,” Solis said, “You just got to keep cutting. Keep going. Don’t let anything stop you, and just grind.”

Now, he’s planning on sharing his talent with all of Derby by acquiring his license and opening a physical location. A huge feat for someone his age. 

“If you have a vision, stick to it. Don’t give up,” Solis said.