Keeping Up With Grizzlies And Their Side Hustles
GFHS student Isabella Nevarez files her client’s nails for preparation before she adds and paints an artificial nail. Photo taken on March 23, 2022 from her Instagram @angelicsets_
March 25, 2022
It’s no secret that many students have a job to earn extra cash. However, some students have taken a more creative approach and earn that money by working for themselves instead of an employer.
Many Grizzlies have built their own side hustle which has turned out to be a great success for them. Here are just a few:
Junior Clarissa García has her own custom embroidery business where she sells hoodies and crewnecks with embroidered designs. Her business is run through Instagram (g.clarissaa).
García’s inspiration comes from her father who has his own business.
“He is his own boss and I know that’s something I want for myself in the future. Just being able to run your own job, make your own schedule, and not have anyone tell you what and how you should do something,” said García.
When García started, she would sell around 10 items a month. But since her business has grown, she has increased her sales to 30+ items a month. Depending on the design, a basic hoodie starts at $20.
Although she finds stress in running a business while also being a full-time student-athlete, García is happy for the experience she is gaining since she wants to expand her clothing business in the future.
Diego Guillen and Rafael Orozco are two seniors that run a shoe business where they buy, sell, and trade shoes on Instagram (the_o.n.e.s).
Their business started at the beginning of the pandemic when they were both bored and wanting to keep themselves entertained while also making money. Guillen and Orozco knew that the shoe reselling game was out there so they decided to dedicate their time to their new business.
“No one really trusted us since we were young, upcoming, and had no credibility. So, in the beginning, there were people trying to scam us, but eventually, we built trust with other business partners, and it became an

easier and safer environment to do business,” said Orozco.
Both Guillen and Orozco are full-time student-athletes and also have part-time jobs, but find it easy to run a business since they are organized with their time management.
“This is just a side hustle for now, but with the entrepreneurial mindset that we have gained, we would like to be successful businessmen in the future,” said Guillen.
Senior Aylin Padilla started running her baking business at the beginning of the pandemic which was, at first, a hobby to pass the time during quarantine at home. However, through her family and friends, Padilla started receiving orders and quickly opened up a business on Instagram (_cakesnstuff) with some help from her mother.
So far, Padilla’s most popular flavor is her tres leches cake which starts at $45 depending on the size and filling. Usually, she takes around five cake orders a month.
“Running a business and still being a full time student didn’t become a big issue until we started in person classes. But I learned to manage my time and I got used to the late nights and very early mornings it would take to complete orders,” said Padilla.
As of right now, Padilla says cakes is just a side hustle to gain extra cash. Even though she loves her hobby, it is not something that she wants to continue to do forever because she has other plans for her future.
Senior, Isabella Nevarez, who is also one of two broadcast managers for Godinez Fundamental High School’s weekly bro runs an at home nail business through Instagram (angelicsets_) where she offers gel extensions and manicures starting at $35.
Nevarez started out doing nails as a hobby during quarantine after taking a course with a nail technician. She would practice with her friends and soon after decided to start her own business.
Although it is challenging to balance school and a business, Nevarez focuses on her time management and plans on continuing her side hustle through college. Currently she books around 18 appointments a month.
“Sometimes there’s a schedule conflicts or a busy week at school that makes it difficult to take as many appointments as I’d like to. But my classmates are also some of my biggest supporters and a big portion of my customers. I love seeing people at school with nails I did for them,” said Nevarez.
Anyone can start a business and in Garcia’s words, “If you’re thinking about starting a business just go for it. In the beginning, there’s a high chance you’ll feel like you don’t know what you’re doing, but it’s a process, and the outcome is worth it. Just make sure to have patience with everything, and absolutely do not forget that we all start somewhere!”
Probi • May 25, 2022 at 8:10 pm
After reading this article about students side hustles, I found it extremely surprising how much work ETHIC these students/business owners have. It is still impressive to me how hardworking and dedicated these people are to have the capacity of going to school full time and still running a business after school everyday. Although it isn’t as FEASIBLE as they might make it sound it is definitely possible. In the article, Clarissa’s believes that is it possible for her business to grow in the future and is something she would like to go further with. This is interesting because if you really are passionate about something like these people you will overcome all obstacles and will be eager to keep growing as a business.
Kenya • May 4, 2022 at 1:38 am
It is really impressive how many students work and go to school at the same time. Especially the ones who have their own business, you have to be ADROIT for that. It also must be tough to keep up with everything else as well. For example, Isabella Nevarez who runs an at home nail business, mentions “Sometimes there’s schedule conflicts or a busy week at school that makes it difficult.” So props to them.
Clara • May 3, 2022 at 1:51 pm
I find it INTREPID that a lot of students had a side hassle. It is more amazing that a lot of these students have a profitable business. For example, “But since her business has grown, she has increased her sales to 30+ items a month,” that is very impressive. Even though they have challenges trying to put school and the business in their schedules, their businesses is something to look forward in the future. For example, “Nevarez focuses on her time management and plans on continuing her side hustle through college.” A lot of the students will like to continue down the paths of having a business.
Elizabeth • May 3, 2022 at 2:42 am
After reading this article, it really gives insight to other students who would want to have a side hustle as well. I think that it is a good idea to be in school and have a small business as a way to earn money during high school. Although it is hard to manage school and have a job at the same time. In the article it states, “Although she finds stress in running a business while also being a full-time student-athlete, García is happy for the experience she is gaining since she wants to expand her clothing business in the future.” This highlights that although it is hard to manage school and a business it is good to be an ASPIRANT towards something in the future. Also the business may not be a long term job for some students like Diego Guillen and Rafael Orozco, “This is just a side hustle for now, but with the entrepreneurial mindset that we have gained, we would like to be successful businessmen in the future,” said Guillen.”, but it will help them in the future if they want a career with business.
Kimberly • May 3, 2022 at 1:29 am
This article shows a great representation of students who make their own running business FEASIBLE with bits of patience and hard work. One encounter is between Diego Guillen and Rafael Orozco who run a shoe business and began with people doubting them “No one really trusted us since we were young, upcoming, and had no credibility”.They began to work hard and in the end, it paid off because they became successful and they didn’t let the negativity stop them. Another encounter is Clarissa García with a running business that also became successful. Her inspiration was her dad and she began to think like him but it’s never easy as stress increases and learning how to manage time. She didn’t let that stop her because she has a passion to expand her clothing business and it worked as she receives more and more customers. A lesson we can learn from this article is to not let the negativity stop you or the stress it brings because you’ll never know how successful you can become.
Tzideny • May 3, 2022 at 12:17 am
Reading this article makes me wanna start my own business but I know that it truly takes courage to even start with this kind of business. These INTREPID students have started their own business out of nothing, this must be a huge inspiration to those who would like to work in the business field. It also shows how you can basically do anything that you set your mind to do, this might also give students that have dream to become businesswomen/men. Creating your own business is also a great advantage to become a better scholar like it says in the article ‘organized with their time management.” running a small business has thought these students how manage their time an that us a very important thing for all students to do. Without knowing how to manage your time you can fall behind in school and make everything much harder.
Fatima • May 2, 2022 at 10:19 pm
It is so amazing that students are willing to create their own businesses based on their creativity and talent. “Although she finds stress in running a business while also being a full-time student-athlete, García is happy for the experience she is gaining since she wants to expand her clothing business in the future.” Some students may find this as SOLACE because it helps them stay at peace or they just really like doing this. ““No one really trusted us since we were young, upcoming, and had no credibility. So, in the beginning, there were people trying to scam us, but eventually, we built trust with other business partners” This shows how comitted they were into actually putting the risks and work into what they were really passionate about. Building a business may be hard and has a lot of ups and downs to it. Although there is always a good outcome to everything.
Vanessa • Apr 24, 2022 at 9:47 pm
Students that run a business and are in school have reached to be PRECOCIOUS. Keeping up with their business, school and personal life can be a very hard. in the article it states ¨Although she finds stress in running a business while also being a full-time student-athlete¨ most of these students do tend to find very stressing. Although it could be difficult students like Guillen say “This is just a side hustle for now, but with the entrepreneurial mindset that we have gained, we would like to be successful businessmen in the future,” and I think its very important to keep that mindset anf follow your goals.
Heidi Hernandez • Apr 24, 2022 at 4:52 pm
Reading this article is a great example of students being able to work on a small business but also be able to be a full time student. This will give the students a chance to explore there career and what they want in life. The students are able to work on a hobby they enjoy but also be able to sell there products out to other people for them to enjoy as well. Clarissa Garcia is a Junior who owns a custom embroidery business where she is able to sell hoodies and crew-necks with embroider designs. She was inspired by her father who also owns a business of his own. She can CONCUR that it is very stressful going to school full time and having to run a business with about 30+ items purchased a month. Clarissa’s believes that is it FEASIBLE for her business to expand in the future and something she would like to experience later on.
Evelyn • Apr 18, 2022 at 9:29 pm
I think it is great they love what they do and have work ETHIC for it. Side businesses are a good way to get started with jobs. The side jobs are an ADROIT idea of what the future can hold. If they love what they do it can become an even bigger thing in the future.
Griselda • Apr 18, 2022 at 9:24 pm
After reading this article it is PERCEIVE that students need to make the extra cash during the pandemic. Starting a business might be have some of the people because they might have started during the pandemic or now with school having the manege there time. It is FEASIBLE that students have found time to work on their business ” Just being able to run your own job, make your own schedule.” It is EMINENT because they got their businesses out there was the social media. I found most interesting was that some businesses started off as hobbies and then became businesses. I also found interesting that the businesses have found way the get their businesses own that people through Instagram.
Kaitlin • Apr 18, 2022 at 11:01 am
I think that its really great that student want to be their own boss and benefit more than being an employer working by the hour. I like that the students take inspiration from their parents like Clarissa Garcia which the article stated, ” Garcia’s inspiration comes from her father who has his own business.” It shows how even is she has any questions or needs help she could go to her dad and IMPLORE (ask) for advice. Another thing that stood out to me in the article was that both Guillen and Orozco run their own shoe side hustle and never gave up despite the challenges that they had faced. They still have that strong hope that they had when they started. Guillen tell us “This is just a side hustle for now, but with the entrepreneurial mindset that we have gained, we would like to be successful businessmen in the future,”. It can be very hard to be your own boss at a young age and handling school and also being in extracurricular activity so I give huge props to them .
Camila • Apr 11, 2022 at 5:59 pm
I find it to be incredibly LAUDABLE that these students take time out of their already-busy schedules to run their own businesses. Not only must they balance the responsibilities of being students and participating in extracurriculars, but also those of being a business-owner to help support themselves and their families. Not to mention the detrimental impact that the pandemic must’ve had on their work. I can barely juggle sports, homework, and clubs- I can’t imagine adding a job into my schedule. These students will surely go far in the future.
Jessica • Apr 10, 2022 at 10:03 pm
Starting a business can be fun to some people but also difficult when starting. Cash is something everyone needs and everyone would put a use to it if earned. A full-time student with a business must feel RAMPANTLY knowing that you have to get orders when they are needed or ordered. In the article it states “No one really trusted us since we were young, upcoming, and had no credibility.” From this I can infer that anyone starting a business can feel DURESS. But once a business is going it can slowly started getting like a better perspective of the business
Natalie Gonzalez • Apr 10, 2022 at 8:18 am
After reading this article I can tell that many high school students are very hard working. They’ve managed to go to school complete many different assignments as well as keeping up with a business. To some they have tried to DERIDE these businesses since the owners themselves were young, “No one really trusted us since we were young, upcoming, and had no credibility. So, in the beginning, there were people trying to scam us…” but now they are successful. Not only can having a business help you learn what to do when your older but it can also be a source of fun “Their business started at the beginning of the pandemic when they were both bored and wanting to keep themselves entertained while also making money.”. At first it could be a hobby but with more experience you can show others and it’ll become something larger than anyone could ever think of. This article could help others if they were thinking of starting a business in the future.
Lia • Apr 3, 2022 at 7:48 pm
I can come to the conclusion that many ADROIT high school students are hardworking and responsible in order to make extra profit while still in high school. A good example of this would include Diego Guillen and Rafael Orozco. These are two student athletes and also have part time jobs. In the article it states “This is just a side hustle for now, but with the entrepreneurial mindset that we have gained, we would like to be successful businessmen in the future,” said Guillen. I can infer that a THRONG of classmates know about her business and support as to what she does. After reading this, I can see how they are dedicated to what they do and have goals in life just like many other small businesses. Another good example would include high school student Isabella Nevarez. In the article it states “My classmates are also some of my biggest supporters and a big portion of my customers. I love seeing people at school with nails I did for them,” said Nevarez. From this we can see how small business owners are able to TOLERATE all this hard work and how anyone can achieve what they want to do.
Lia Ramirez • Apr 3, 2022 at 7:41 pm
Reading this article, I can come to the conclusion that many ADROIT high school students are hardworking and responsible in order to make extra profit while still in high school. A good example of this would include Diego Guillen and Rafael Orozco. These are two student athletes and also have part-time jobs. In the article it states “This is just a side hustle for now, but with the entrepreneurial mindset that we have gained, we would like to be successful businessmen in the future,” said Guillen. I can infer that a THRONG of classmates know about her business and support her as to what she does. After reading this, I can see how they are dedicated to what they do and have goals in life, just like many other small businesses. Another good example would include high school student Isabella Nevarez. In the article it states “My classmates are also some of my biggest supporters and a large portion of my customers. I love seeing people at school with nails I did for them,” said Nevarez. From this we can see how small business owners are able to TOLERATE all this hard work and how anyone can achieve what they want to do.
Brianna Biliebre • Apr 1, 2022 at 8:30 pm
It is no surprise that many people are trying different ways to gain some money of their own, some have even started their own small businesses. Most of them have started their businesses during the pandemic but have kept them going and there has been some improvement and support from their fellow classmates. “But my classmates are some of my biggest supporters and a big portion of my customers. I love seeing people at school with nails I did for them,” says Isabella Navarez. Most of the students that are also small business owners describe the start of their journey as difficult. Being a full time student and a small business owner is hard to balance especially to those who have appointments and orders that are increasing. “Running a business and still being a full time student didn’t become a big issue until we started in person classes,” says Aylin Padilla. These small business owners and full time students are EMINENT people to other students in Godinez. These business owners are ADROIT at time management seeing as some have to balance school, sports, and their business.
Bianka • Apr 1, 2022 at 5:15 pm
Cash is no doubt, something we all as students would like to have regularly, which makes starting your own business seem more appealing. Having control over your business allows more flexibility to your work and teaches adolescents how to manage their time. This can become difficult for students balancing school and side hustles, especially if the student is involved in the school. Nevarez describes this challenge in situations where “Sometimes there’s a schedule conflicts or a busy week at school that makes it difficult to take as many appointments as I’d like to”. This emphasizes the idea that those with businesses, more so those who FABRICATE their own products, face this struggle more often. However with this in mind I would also keep into consideration Clarissa Garcia’s advice on taking that risk to start and to keep going at it if you like it even though “…you’ll feel like you don’t know what you’re doing, but it’s a process, and the outcome is worth it”.
Itzamarai Ramirez • Apr 1, 2022 at 12:55 pm
After reading this article can conclude that it’s still possible to do what you dream, no matter how hard can it get. These students were able to create their own business during quarantine with the help of their parents. They didn’t have IMPUNITY, but once it was time to go back to school they had little problems. Eventhough, they were able to manage their time and do what they love whil going to school. This article inspires a lot of students to not stop giving up.
Kimberly Tiempos • Apr 1, 2022 at 12:20 pm
I believe that the students that have a strong side business are LAUDABLE. They deserve respect and praise because they’re minors who still attend school, do schoolwork, and run a job. For example, one student, “finds stress in running a business while also being a full-time student-athlete”, yet she still continues to do great in both her sport and business. I am sure that other students and adults can CONCUR. They definitely deserve compliments for building “their own side hustle which has turned out to be a great success for them”.