Entrepreneurship benefits students and the younger generation by building confidence, critical thinking skills and creating opportunities to showcase responsibility. Creating a passion for growth as well as a strong work ethic, entrepreneurship at a young age sets scholars up for success. One of our own students here at ERHS knows a lot about this, as she manages an entire business as well as producing her own products.
Lianna Geronimo is a seventeen year old junior who turned her hobby into a successful business; amassing 21k followers on her official instagram account and countless overwhelmingly positive reviews from customers all over the country. Making accessories ranging from jewelry to keychains, she prioritizes the experience her clientele receives; Geronimo uses high quality materials as well as sourcing authentic “Smiskis” and “Sonny angels” that often serve as the center pieces of her work.
Geronimo has always had a passion for the arts; her love of jewelry making was originally born from creating loom-band bracelets in elementary school. Though she went back and forth on her craft during her younger years, she finally decided to solidify her trade and officially start selling her work in the 8th grade.
Geronimo primarily promotes and advertises through social media, creating “pack orders with me” reels on her instagram account. Not only showing the process of her shipping and packaging but creating a more inviting and welcoming atmosphere for viewers; as building a relationship with your consumer base is vital for a successful business. Running a business on your own isn’t nearly as simple as many people may think! processes such as; “brainstorming, sourcing materials, designing, making,, photographing, editing, managing social media, and marketing these very products”, are key components essential to optimizing the quality and visibility of your work.
Through trial and error for many years at this point, Geronimo has found a mode of operation that works for her. Having to juggle things such as a regular class schedule, dual enrollment, attending after school clubs and maintaining a social life; She has found that “every business owner needs a system.” Working throughout the week; she takes note of every customer order as well as updating her stock based on which items are still available. Continuing to manage her time wisely and keep a steady flow of work, with the time she has on the weekend and before school; she packages and ships out orders from Sunday to Monday morning before school.
Though she puts a lot of effort into her work and the overall experience that her customers get, Geronimo stresses the importance of considering what’s best for the business owner themself. She feels that “business owners should never feel guilty over how long it may take to process orders”, and that at the end of the day they are trying their very best. Quality over quantity is the way to go; unless one always takes the time needed to truly be proud and passionate about whatever they are putting out, sales and notoriety don’t mean much.
Entrepreneurship; especially in a field that you enjoy, benefits students by creating discipline but can also spark a deeper passion for things you already love! “Lianna’s Diary” is a perfect example of how your hobbies and aspirations can assist you in more ways than one, having turned something she enjoyed leisurely into experience and knowledge she’ll likely carry for the rest of her life, Lianna Geronimo is a model entrepreneur here at Eleanor Roosevelt High School!