3 minute read

Technology powers up student businesses

Sophia Schreiber

Students at Carlmont combine passion, goodwill, and an entrepreneurial spirit to create nonprofit businesses and empower community change. From constructing handmade jewelry, making scrunchies and tote bags, and delivering groceries to the elderly for no cost, technology allows three high school students to sell their products and work towards a greater good.

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With a desire to leave a lasting mark on the community, Alice Finkelstein, a senior at Carlmont, began her journey of creating jewelry during the pandemic. "I started making earrings and added bracelets and necklaces as my business grew. I wanted to impact my community, so I decided to donate the profits,” Finkelstein said.

Finkelstein began donating to COVID-19 support causes before supporting a charity helping children in South Africa. Currently, her profits support science and education for girls in the Bay Area. Finkelstein has amassed over 200 orders and $2,600 from her business, Jewelry With Purpose, leaving customers happy with high-quality products and making a difference for those helped by the charities.

The social media site Instagram is a popular outlet for those beginning with small businesses. Many businesses also utilize website builders such as Square Site, Wix, and Weebly. Separate e-commerce companies such as Etsy and Depop can help others succeed in starting their business. "I think the main thing that allowed me to be successful is the Etsy algorithm. The way it works is that once people buy your product, the more visible you become and the more sales you get, so it was kind of like a domino effect for me," Finkelstein said.

Similarly, Emma Wang, another senior at Carlmont, recognized that she and her sister's creative spirit and values could lead to benevolence through creating a nonprofit. "My parents immigrated from China and found jobs through their education. We saw how valuable education was through the values our parents instilled in us,” Wang said. “I think it's essential for us to create these nonprofits because it's important to have empathy toward other places that might not be as fortunate or have as many opportunities.”

Wang and her sister became inspired to continue to grow their business for this reason.

By selling handmade tote bags, masks, and scrunchies, Wang’s business, CE Scrunchies, has raised and donated over $4000 to various charitable programs. "We've been using social media to promote our causes, including making a TikTok account. I think it's

I THINK IT"S ESSENTIAL FOR US TO CREATE THESE NONPROFITS BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE EMPATHY TOWARD OTHER PLACES THAT MIGHT NOT BE AS FORTUNATE OR HAVE AS MANY OPPORTUNITIES," SAID EMMA WANG, FOUNDER OF CE SCRUNCHIES.

Sophia Schreiber

Alice Finkelstein, a Carlmont senior, models products from her business, Jewelry With Purpose. The star dangle earrings are her most popular product and sell for $10. She wears her beaded linked chain necklace, which sells for $12. an excellent avenue to reach people, especially with Instagram Reels," Wang said.

Using technology just as simple as a cell phone has allowed Jacob Yuryev, a junior at Carlmont, to create a completely free service called Shopr, providing grocery shopping and delivery services to the elderly of San Mateo County. "I started by coming up with an idea, creating a flyer, passing out flyers at different retirement homes and hanging them up in various community centers, and then simply waiting for the calls," Yuryev said.

As a nonprofit for the elderly, Yuryev set out from the start with the goal of making his business' technology as easy to use as possible. Instead of a website or social media, just a phone call is needed to get the delivery on the way. "When we start helping one person, we are automatically a success because our value is not based on money but on how much we help others," Yuryev said. Although hard work and time are necessary to begin a business, these students are determined to continue benefitting their community. "I think the hardest thing is getting started and putting yourself out there. Focusing on one product at a time and on the little steps rather than trying to achieve the big picture is important. Just think about making a difference," Wang said.

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