What to Sell in High School (and How to Get Started as a Freshman)
Starting high school is an exciting time filled with new friendships, classes, and opportunities. For many freshmen, it’s also a chance to explore entrepreneurship. Whether you’re looking to earn extra cash, build skills, or solve everyday problems for peers, selling products in high school can be both fun and rewarding. But where do you begin? Let’s break down creative ideas for what to sell and actionable tips for getting started—even if you’re brand-new to the game.
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Popular Products High School Students Love
The key to success is identifying items that are affordable, easy to manage, and in demand. Here are five categories to consider:
1. Custom Accessories
Teens love expressing individuality, and personalized items like friendship bracelets, keychains, or enamel pins are always popular. You could hand-make these or use print-on-demand services to create designs that reflect school spirit, trending memes, or inside jokes. For example, custom phone grips with your school mascot or stickers featuring viral TikTok phrases could become instant hits.
2. Snack Packs
Hungry classmates are a guaranteed market. Sell single-serving snacks like chips, candy, or homemade treats (check school rules first!). Create “study survival kits” during exam season with energizing snacks, caffeine gum, or stress-relief items like fidget toys. Partner with a local bakery or use bulk stores to keep costs low.
3. Secondhand Fashion
Thrifting is trendy, and many students want unique clothing without the mall prices. Resell gently used jackets, vintage band tees, or accessories from your closet or local thrift stores. Platforms like Depop or Instagram make it easy to showcase items. Bonus: Offer “style bundles” (e.g., a shirt + necklace combo) to upsell.
4. Digital Services
If you’re tech-savvy, offer services like graphic design for club T-shirts, custom Spotify playlists, or tutoring in subjects you excel at. Create printable planners or digital wall art for students to decorate dorm rooms. Digital products require no inventory and can be sold repeatedly.
5. Seasonal Items
Capitalize on holidays or school events. Sell handmade Valentine’s Day cards, Halloween face paint kits, or festive jewelry during homecoming week. For winter, offer hot cocoa kits or holiday-themed stickers. Timing is everything—start promoting these items a few weeks in advance.
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How to Launch Your Side Hustle as a Freshman
Starting a small business in high school might feel overwhelming, but these steps will help you stay organized and confident:
1. Research Demand
Before investing time or money, test your ideas. Ask friends what they’d buy, post polls on Instagram Stories, or observe what peers complain about needing. For example, if everyone’s phone dies by lunchtime, portable chargers could sell well.
2. Keep Costs Low
Start small to avoid financial risk. Use materials you already own (e.g., art supplies for handmade jewelry) or pre-sell items to fund production. For example, take orders for custom T-shirts before purchasing blank ones.
3. Follow School Rules
Many schools restrict on-campus sales, so review policies beforehand. If selling snacks or physical products isn’t allowed, focus on digital services or after-school sales at sports games or local parks.
4. Market Creatively
You don’t need a big budget for advertising. Use free tools:
– Social Media: Post product photos on TikTok or Instagram with hashtags like HighSchoolHustle.
– Flyers: Design eye-catching posters for hallway bulletin boards (with permission).
– Word of Mouth: Ask satisfied customers to share your business with their friends.
5. Perfect Your Pitch
Be ready to explain why someone should buy from you. Keep it casual: “Hey, these scrunchies are made from recycled fabric—only $3 each!” Highlight convenience, uniqueness, or value.
6. Stay Organized
Track orders, expenses, and profits using a notebook or free apps like Google Sheets. Set aside time weekly to restock inventory or fulfill digital orders.
7. Learn and Adapt
Not every product will succeed—and that’s okay! Ask customers for feedback. Did the scented lip balm sell out? Make more. Did the math tutoring flop? Pivot to editing college essays instead.
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Why This Matters Beyond the Money
Running a mini-business in high school teaches skills you won’t learn in class: negotiating with suppliers, managing deadlines, and communicating with customers. Plus, colleges and future employers love seeing initiative and creativity. Even small ventures—like selling friendship bracelets during lunch—can spark a lifelong interest in entrepreneurship.
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Final Tip: Start with something simple and scalable. Maybe you begin by selling 10 custom bracelets a week, then expand to earrings or phone cases as demand grows. Remember, consistency beats perfection. Your first product doesn’t need to go viral—it just needs to solve a problem or bring joy to your peers.
High school is the perfect time to experiment, make mistakes, and discover what works. So grab a notebook, brainstorm ideas, and take that first step. Who knows? Your freshman-year side hustle might just become the talk of the school.
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