Big business all started from small ideas, however in order to get it out there, they had to produce and sell their products through street fairs, garages, schools and any local places. Scrub Daddy started once as just a business who went on Shark Tank. Amazon started as a lemonade stand outside of a garage. So why are we so scared to start ours?
As teenagers we get caught up in buying our produce and materials in our local malls and grocery stores, but often forget the work and how it started. As new rising technology comes to shine, the business industry booms, especially after Covid-19 where everyone was looking for something to keep them busy and gain money. However, throughout the last six years small businesses have often been overshined by new and trendy big businesses.
The Inside of Small Business
The Woodbridge Metro Chamber of Commerce Fair hosted May 16 is a great opportunity in showcasing small businesses. The fair hosted over 100 local artisans and vendors including a wide range of restaurants, clothing and woodcrafts. A local business vendor run by Sophomore, Emily Katz of Cheerful Crochet, says “Small businesses are talked about but not supported and spread enough.” Small businesses get shut down in their first year due to financial instability from not having enough support and a wider range of customers due to competition, failing by 20% in their first year and 50% by their fifth year.
Just as shown through the Woodbridge Metro Chamber of Commerce Fair, small business play a big role, often resembling the backbone of the economy and employing over 62,000,000 people, yet creating competition.
Katz mentioned, “Being a business owner comes with the difficulty knowing that more people I knew wanted to support me rather than strangers, but there are so many other businesses selling the same products, for me I am a 15 year old business entrepreneur. With young entrepreneurs we often get overlooked not because of our products but rather our age. ”
Perspective from a Business Owner and a student
Emily Katz is a Sophomore who has been active in her community and constantly going from one activity to the other. Whether it’s horseback riding, tennis, boxing, jiu jitsu or her small business Cheerful Crochet. While once scared to start her small business, it all takes a seed to plant the rest of the story. For her, she shared that her creativity and skill should be shared to others not only to inspire but show her potential, but the fear of rejection and uniqueness is what teenagers often hold back to start a small business.
Sophomore Sydney Lowerie, another local entrepreneur and owner of Simple Stitches said, “I try to make my business both original and unique by coming up with ideas and products that wouldn’t be common to find, but still popular. It helps especially if the product has bright colors and nice packaging.”
Show uniqueness in the business community
There is that word “overlooked” that many business owners take fear of. Being unique for small business can be hard yet it is important to be true to yourself and what your customers like more of. Taking the step in replacing your everyday trendy manufactured items for a small item to support small business can urge others to start a business and allow it to grow in both community and support! Please go check out small businesses nearby and ways you can make a difference in your community!
