The Small Businesses of Comp Sci High
“What these amazing CSH students do takes time, money, and patience to perfect, and I want to shine a spotlight on them—to highlight their talent and dedication. That’s why I took some time to interview them about their journeys as small business owners.”
Hey everyone,
I just wanted to bring something to your attention—CompSciHigh has so many small business owners who go unrecognized. I bet $10.00 you didn’t know that a senior named Jazlyn makes homemade cookies, or that Anadaly Rosario also creates chocolate-covered strawberries and more. Or that Laila Springer, another senior, does amazing nails. Even I, Anaelah Scot, crochet hats and do temporary lashes.
There are so many talented individuals with small businesses who don’t get the recognition and appreciation they deserve. But beyond that, I don’t think people truly understand the time and effort that goes into what we, as small business owners, do. Aside from not being noticed, there’s also the challenge of dealing with people who give us false hope. You’re probably wondering, “Anaelah, what do you mean by false hope?” What I mean is unrealistic expectations. Some people will say, “Ouu, can you make me this or that? I’ll pay you!”—which gets our hopes up. But then, when we follow up and never receive the order, it can be frustrating. At the same time, it teaches us the hard reality that sometimes, people don’t always follow through on their word.
What these amazing CSH students do takes time, money, and patience to perfect, and I want to shine a spotlight on them—to highlight their talent and dedication. That’s why I took some time to interview them about their journeys as small business owners.
Anadaly’s Story:
I wanted to start with none other than my close friend, Anadaly. I’ve known her since 9th grade and have watched her grow her small baking business into something truly special. For those who don’t know, she sells chocolate-covered strawberries, smash balls, heart-shaped chocolates, and a wide variety of custom cookies. I give her major props because the supplies she buys aren’t cheap.
I asked her what inspired her to start her business, and she told me:
“I started my business mostly because I loved baking. But once I started bringing my treats to bake sales at school, people would tell me how much they liked them. So, I started bringing more and more. Then, I began giving them to people in my building, and they started asking if I sold them and did custom orders. Their support motivated me to keep going, and when Valentine’s Day came around, my small little hobby turned into something much bigger.”
Laila’s Story:
If you ever see me, you’ll probably see a girl by my side—her name is Laila. She’s smart, outgoing, and has a bright future ahead of her. If you didn’t know, she started a business doing nails. It wasn’t easy at first—people didn’t pay much attention to what she was trying to do. But did she stop? No, she didn’t.
I asked Laila why she wanted to do nails, and she told me:
“I’ve always loved self-care and getting my nails done when I was younger, and I wanted to be one of those people doing nails when I got older. What keeps me motivated is knowing all the opportunities that doing nails can bring me. It’s really a gift.”
Even though Laila’s business didn’t take off right away, she kept going. And for those who might be hesitant to get their nails done by her—don’t be! She does a great job and takes her time to make sure everything is perfect.
Jazlynn’s Story:
If you ever see a girl carrying a clear backpack filled with baked goods, that’s Jazlynn. She sells cookies and other bakery-style treats right on our school campus. If you’ve never tried her baked goods, you really should—not only are they delicious, but she also takes time out of her day to make them for people to enjoy.
I asked Jazlynn why she started her business, and she told me:
“I started my business because I love cooking, baking, and feeding people. I thought it would be a way to gain some financial freedom so I wouldn’t have to rely on my mom so much.”
Her response was short and simple, but it carried a powerful meaning. She’s passionate about what she does, and even when business is slow, she doesn’t give up—she keeps pushing forward.
Anaelah’s Story (My Story):
For those who don’t know me, I’m Anaelah Scot, a 12th grader. I do art commissions, temporary lashes, and crochet hats for people. These are my businesses. You might be wondering, “How do you balance all of that?” Honestly? I don’t always. Managing multiple businesses is tough, and people often underestimate my talent and don’t always take the time to appreciate or support what I do.
I’ve been on a journey where I’ve started businesses and had to end them if they were too slow or draining too much money. But that has never stopped me from doing what I love. Recently, I’ve grown into a new hobby—crocheting wearable items for people. Even though business has been slow, I haven’t stopped because I know that sometimes, people are hesitant to spend money on something they’re unsure about. And that’s okay.
But at the end of the day, what we create—whether it’s nails, baked goods, or handmade crafts—is made with passion and effort. It takes time and dedication. So don’t be afraid to support and uplift small business owners—you might just be helping someone turn their passion into something even greater.