According to Junior Achievement, an organization that helps students connect “what they learn in school with life outside the classroom,” around “60% of Teens would prefer to start a business over having a traditional job.” Students who have a small business often find themselves stressed when it comes to balancing their business and academic careers.
Senior Maddie McCray has a nail business.
“My business time starts at 2PM and ends at 9PM; anything before or after is my academic time,” said McCray.
McCray believes that using a period of time is a great way to manage your time while balancing school and her role as an entrepreneur.
Another way high school students with small businesses manage their constantly busy schedules is by using a planner or daily agenda to have their tasks written down and ready to start.
“I usually try to have a to-do list in a planner, so it’s written down,” said senior Nevaeh Mervin, who has a crochet business.
Using a planner not only allows students to have their tasks written down, but also allows for them to prioritize tasks such as homework, study tasks, tasks related to the success of the small business, and any day a student may have to schedule out for their part-time job.
“Managing a small business as a high school student can also become kinda tricky,” said Mervin.
Senior Marissa Downtain has a craft business.
“I balance my small business and academics by completing my tasks in order of importance,” said Downtain. “I usually start with my school work, then move on to completing talks for my business.”
Downtain believes she maximizes her success by doing everything in order of importance, starting with her most important tasks. Prioritizing tasks by the level of urgency can be a great way to ensure that even if not all tasks can be completed, the most important/urgent tasks are knocked off the list.
According to The Venture Center, “student business ownership could be the path to financial freedom” and “corporate America [can be] the back-up plan, not the only option.”
These students prove that ambition doesn’t have to wait until graduation. By balancing schoolwork with running their own businesses, they are not only building résumés but also resilience, creativity, and confidence. Their stories show that the classroom extends far beyond four walls—and sometimes, the best lessons come from chasing a dream while still turning in homework on time.
