Starting a business is difficult in itself, but starting one as a student is an even more impressive accomplishment. Many high school students have created businesses. One such student is freshman Anika Winbush. Winbush has worked to develop her jewelry making business.

What got you into jewelry making?

Ever since I was young, I loved to do arts and crafts. It was when I was in middle school that I started making friendship bracelets and simple bead bracelets. I then also started to make necklaces, leading me to make all different types of jewelry.

What type of jewelry do you make?

Beaded earrings and necklaces with patterned beads and simple beads. Metal stamped jewelry, which includes metal stamped rings, bracelets, and necklaces. I also make personalized jewelry and seed bead jewelry.

What made you want to start selling your jewelry?

I have always loved to make jewelry and do a bunch of crafts. It got to the point where most of my room was full of crafts, and there were craft supplies all over the place. My parents were the ones that thought of the idea that I could make some money with all the crafts and jewelry that I made, even if I started with selling items to friends and family. From there, the business started to gain more awareness and became a little more popular.

How long have you been working on your business?

I started working on the website and working on items to sell a little bit before school shut down due to the coronavirus. It was mid-February when I started to sell my jewelry through an Instagram account. By the time I finished the actual website and published, it was only a few months ago in July.

What are your goals?

I want to start earning enough money to the point where I can donate most of the money, but I also want to keep a decent amount of it. For my business, I would also like to be able to create a wider variety of items to sell, such as more items that people would be able to give as gifts and more decor items.

Do you have any advice for students who want to start their own business?

Set goals for what you want to sell and where you want your business to be in the future, so then you have something to work towards and look forward to accomplishing.

Where do you sell your products?

I sell my products on Instagram @smile_love_create and my website.