Keeping Up With Grizzlies And Their Side Hustles

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Kylie Mayo

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_

Kylie Mayo, Co-Editor-in-Chief

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

A tres leches cake with strawberry filling featured on Aylin Padilla’s Instagram account @cakesnstuff (Courtesy of Aylin Padilla)

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!”