What to Sell in High School (and How to Get Started as a Freshman)
Starting high school brings new opportunities, and for many freshmen, launching a small business is an exciting way to earn extra cash, build skills, and connect with peers. But with limited time, budget, and experience, figuring out what to sell—and how to sell it—can feel overwhelming. Let’s explore practical ideas and strategies tailored for first-year high school students.
—
Top Products and Services High Schoolers Love
The key to success is offering something your peers actually want. Focus on items that are affordable, easy to produce or source, and aligned with student interests. Here are six popular options:
1. Custom Accessories
Handmade jewelry, keychains, or phone charms are inexpensive to make and highly customizable. Use materials like beads, embroidery thread, or polymer clay to create trendy designs. For example, charm bracelets with initials or school mascots often sell well.
2. Snacks and Drinks
Capitalize on hunger between classes! Sell individually wrapped treats like cookies, rice crispy bars, or energy bites. If your school allows it, consider offering cold drinks like lemonade or iced tea during warmer months.
3. Study Guides and Notes
If you’re acing a class, turn your organized notes into simple study packets. Freshmen might pay $5–$10 for condensed summaries of biology chapters or Spanish verb conjugations.
4. Art and Decor
Hand-drawn stickers, mini posters, or dorm-style decor (think succulents in cute pots) appeal to students personalizing lockers or bedrooms.
5. Tech Services
Offer to set up social media accounts, design Instagram stories, or troubleshoot basic phone/computer issues for less tech-savvy peers.
6. Secondhand Items
Resell gently used books, video games, or sports gear. Apps like Depop or Facebook Marketplace make this easy, but in-person sales at school can be quicker.
—
How to Launch Your Business in 5 Simple Steps
Starting small and staying organized is crucial. Here’s how to turn your idea into action:
1. Research Demand
Before investing time or money, test your concept. Ask friends or post polls on Instagram: “Would you buy homemade scrunchies for $3?” Observe trends—if everyone’s carrying reusable water bottles, consider selling decorative stickers to personalize them.
2. Calculate Costs
List all expenses: materials, packaging, and time. For example, if making bracelets costs $1 each, aim to sell them for $3–$4 to cover effort and potential losses. Always price competitively—students have tight budgets!
3. Follow School Rules
Check your school’s policies on selling items. Some prohibit food sales or require permission slips. Avoid trouble by clarifying rules with a teacher or administrator upfront.
4. Promote Creatively
Use free platforms like Instagram or TikTok to showcase products. Post short videos of your creation process or customer testimonials. For in-person promotion, wear or use your product visibly—if you’re selling stickers, decorate your laptop with them!
5. Start Small, Scale Gradually
Begin with a limited batch of items to gauge interest. For instance, make 20 bracelets and track sales speed. Reinvest profits to expand your inventory or try new products.
—
Pro Tips for Freshman Entrepreneurs
– Partner Up: Team with a friend to split tasks—one handles production, the other manages sales.
– Offer Discounts: “Refer a friend” deals or bundle pricing (e.g., 3 stickers for $5) encourage larger purchases.
– Keep It Simple: Avoid overly complex products. Focus on items you can create quickly between homework and extracurriculars.
– Track Feedback: Listen to customer suggestions. If buyers ask for neon-colored keychains, adjust your next batch accordingly.
—
Handling Common Challenges
Problem: “No one’s buying!”
Solution: Revisit your target audience. Maybe athletes would prefer protein snacks over stickers, or art students might pay more for detailed prints. Adjust your product or marketing strategy.
Problem: “I’m overwhelmed with orders!”
Solution: Create a waitlist or limit daily stock. Use tools like Google Sheets to track orders and deadlines.
Problem: “I’m nervous to talk to customers.”
Solution: Practice a short pitch: “Hi! These bracelets are $4 each—want to try one?” Most classmates will admire your initiative!
—
Why This Matters Beyond Making Money
Running a mini-business teaches budgeting, communication, and problem-solving—skills colleges and future employers value. Plus, it’s a fun way to meet people. One freshman we spoke to earned $200 in a month selling anime-themed stickers, then used the profits to fund a robotics club project.
Remember, your first venture doesn’t need to be perfect. Start with a simple idea, learn as you go, and enjoy the process. Who knows? That $5 bracelet side hustle might evolve into a lifelong passion!
Please indicate: Thinking In Educating » What to Sell in High School (and How to Get Started as a Freshman)