While most students are now scrolling on their phones at lunch, some are taking initiative, specifically students wanting to go into business.
Across the country, entrepreneurship is rising, and ‘Iolani students are using the opportunities around them to gain exposure and experience. If you did not know already, there are a myriad of opportunities to learn about entrepreneurship or business in our own ‘Iolani community, such as the Young Entrepreneurs club and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). Other students are more independent and are choosing to build their own businesses outside of school. Students are taking their ideas and turning them into reality; they are not waiting until after college to start building their futures.
Emily T. ’26, the co-president of the Young Entrepreneurs club, is one of the students at the forefront of this innovation wave, starting her own business. Emily explained her business and her product, “It’s called Sunrise to Hawaii, and I make jewelry and stickers, … I’ve been running it since seventh grade.” Emily is using her experience to teach other students. In her club, she hosts workshops to teach students rudimentary details needed before starting a business. This year she plans to host workshops in “marketing, pricing, and branding, which are kind of just like background steps to [get a] better sense of [business] and also create a stronger business plan.” After members get started with their businesses and have developed them, she plans on hosting two marketing events at the school. Last year the club hosted the April pop and shop, where the club had its members set up stands and sold their products to their peers.
Another club that is business related is Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), a national club with independent school chapters, brought to ‘Iolani by Emma C. ’28. Although it is still new to ‘Iolani, they already hope to receive accolades this year. One of Emma’s goals is for the club to gain popularity and distinction: “I hope we will be one of the biggest clubs [at] ‘Iolani School such as Math Team, Science Olympiad and MUN. My current plans for the club [are] to be recognized for the gold champion chapter and having as many people qualify for the national conference.” FBLA members can participate in competitions such as role plays, presentations and multiple choice tests, covering over ninety events. The club also plans to host competition prep sessions, group study meetings and have guest speakers. On the national level, FBLA has recognition programs as well as a bi-annual conference that hosts workshops, keynote speakers and competitions. FBLA isn’t just a business club; although centered around business, the club’s interests extend into fields such as computer science, graphic design and communications. Emma said, “People who want to compete on a national level with other people from different states should definitely consider joining FBLA. While there are many clubs at ‘Iolani School, FBLA is the only business-focused club that will allow students to travel and compete at the national level.” The club’s overall mission is to help students gain the knowledge, skills, experiences and behaviors to be successful. In the club, they gain exposure to career pathways and get to see all of the functions and sectors of these various pathways.
Students are also doing things independently, like Deborah P. ’26, who has started her own business. Lani’s Bangles, a jewelry business, sells handcrafted shell bangles made with 14k gold-filled wire. Deborah said, “100% of our profits are donated to organizations like RYSE Hawaii and Project Inc. Hawaii.” RYSE and Project Inc. are both non-profits that support houseless youth. She also said that some funds support Compassion, an international child sponsorship program.
Deborah admits she had no prior jewelry-making experience. With the encouragement of her design 3D teacher, Mr. Evan Tattori here at ‘Iolani, she learned every step of the process under his guidance, from cutting wire to polishing bangles. “He was the one that helped me order all the right materials, stayed later in his classroom, and listened through all my rants and crashouts from the overwhelming orders,” she said. Her friends also helped her in the process by collecting shells, running market booths and promoting the business on social media.
When asked what the biggest challenge about running a business was, she said balancing school work and managing her business. So she adapted and made a change in her business. She said, “Not wanting to fully give up on the business, though, I adapted to a ‘system’ that worked for me and my schedule. This consisted of releasing ‘drops,’ where I would sell a select number of bangles, rather than continually taking orders throughout the year (but during time periods when school isn’t too overwhelming, I’d take extra orders even if it’s not a part of a drop).” This allowed her to dedicate more time to school, sports and extracurriculars, while still keeping her business alive.
During this time, she has been able to expand her business. Deborah said,“Through being a part of the Makia Markets, (a youth entrepreneurship program), I’m able to participate in various markets. Doing so allows me to not only connect with a broader customer base, where I’ve been fortunate to meet many customers who were kind enough to donate extra money (after hearing about our mission) and shows continued support for us on our [Instagram]. Through one of the markets, I was also able to get in touch with the owner of a popular local boutique, who inquired about regular wholesales for their store, which is truly an amazing opportunity for us.”
Deborah chose something she found interesting and something that deeply resonated with her while helping with an issue she felt needed to change. Deborah said, “Homelessness is a glaringly obvious issue here on our island, and it just felt frustrating for me personally to not be able to give much practical help to such a big population of houseless individuals.” She saw a problem in society and wanted to assist. She personally feels that donating to an organization is more impactful than going up to an individual, so that’s what she did.
According to the LA Times, students said that starting a business taught them valuable job skills, excited them, involved them and helped connect them to the real world. Student entrepreneurship allows students to learn about marketing, accounting and production, so schools are now offering scholarships and academic incentives to people who take a finance-related class. Schools are hoping to link business to academic skills and readiness. At ‘Iolani, Deborah said, “all parts of the bangle making process (other than shelling) is done in the 3D design classroom here at ‘Iolani. Because of this, I try to maximize my frees and afterschool hours to be devoted to Lani Bangles.”
At ‘Iolani, student entrepreneurship is expanding in many different ways, from various clubs to students’ own endeavors. Students are using the opportunities available to them to help themselves and help others; reflecting on the ambition students have today to learn, develop and serve.
