Starting a business as a high school student might feel overwhelming, but for BC junior Defne, running a business became a learning experience. Last year, Defne started her own cookie business called Defne’s Bakery, where she bakes and sells homemade treats to friends and family! Her small business was an opportunity to learn skills like adaptability, recognition, and imperfection which are all crucial for a successful business.
Like many student entrepreneurs, Defne didn’t follow a traditional business plan when she started: “I didn’t have a very clear plan when I started; I kind of went on Canva and made a menu, looked at cookie recipes and tested out a couple batches so I never really had a set plan on what to do.” While this strategy allowed her to start quickly, it also meant she had to adapt and learn as she went along.
Defne faced many unexpected challenges while building a client base for her business. She needed to find people who not only wanted cookies, but also trusted that her baking was consistently good. Word-of-mouth helped during her initial moments of starting her business, but gaining that large audience took patience. Another significant challenge was time management. Balancing schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and the demanding schedule of baking became overwhelming at times. Through these experiences, her biggest tip is to get your name out there and ensure people know who you are and what you offer. Building brand recognition and trust is essential, especially when starting out. She emphasizes that people need to know your products are good and that you’re reliable before they’ll become repeat customers. Marketing yourself effectively, whether through social media, word-of-mouth, or simply letting friends and classmates know about your business, makes all the difference in gaining a strong client base for your business.
One of the most valuable lessons Defne learned was accepting imperfection. Not every batch turned out perfectly, and sometimes things went wrong despite her best efforts. Learning from mistakes rather than being discouraged by them became crucial to her growth as both a baker and a businessperson. These setbacks taught her many skills which were fundamental for a great business. Her small business became a place where she developed important entrepreneurial skills, including adaptability, marketing strategies, brand recognition, and the resilience to handle imperfections: all vital for building a thriving student-led business.
