Local youth in Delano and McFarland have started their own businesses as a way to make a little extra cash during the pandemic.
These young entrepreneurs have turned their hobbies into businesses and began making jewelry and hats and have begun selling clothes.
Because she can’t spend much time with her friends during the pandemic, Evelina Gil, a sophomore at Cesar E. Chavez High in Delano, has begun selling charms, anklets, necklaces, and bracelets on her Instagram account.
Immediately after her first sale, she had a bigger vision for what could be offered to her customers. Gil said she hopes to expand her business by making a website that offers affordable jewelry.
“Go for it,” Gil said to those interested in starting their own small business. “It keeps you busy with a reward that awaits.”
Another duo of young entrepreneurs have begun selling their products also on their Instagram account called migas.shoppe.
McFarland residents Lucy Rocha and Roxy Sarabia design and create earrings. As the two begin college this year, they came to realize it’s important to make some extra money for their personal needs.
The two put much effort into making their brand stand out. Orders from migas.shoppe come with a unique envelope decorated with stickers and a handwritten thank you note. The earrings are attached to cardstock that they design with their own doodles and writing.
Earring designs vary from dainty dangle earrings, women’s empowerment symbols, charms, and civic engagement.
“Our long term goal for our small business is to make an Etsy (account)” said Rocha.
Other young entrepreneurs have begun selling clothing. Mia Fiesta, a Delano High senior, fell in love with thrifting, and turned the hobby into a successful business that is also beneficial for the environment.
Fiesta goes to thrift shops, picks out the trendiest items and resells them to customers on her social media account. Fiesta says buying second hand clothes a more sustainable way of life.
“Thrifting is better for the environment, and fast fashion abuses their workers for little pay (and) poor working conditions,” says Fiesta.
As Mia’s business continues to grow, she hopes to donate regularly to organizations like BLM, and ASPCA. Along with that, she would like to become more independent in the sense of depending less on her family and learning to work hard for what she has.
Noelani Espiritu, a sophomore at Cesar E. Chavez High in Delano, has learned to sew during her time quartining and hopes to sell her bucket hats she’s sown on her own.
“Although I have not properly started or advertised my business, I wanted to start selling bucket hats because I feel it is time to give back to my parents and family,” Espiritu said.
Espiritu’s advice for those interested in learning a new skill is, “Love what you sell and know why you’re selling it. Having these two qualities will push you to excel at whatever it is you are creating to sell.”
