What started as creative outlets has turned into real businesses for two MN students. Recently at MN, two businesses have stood out: The Banner Bar and Totes by Natalia. Each student-run business has carved its own unique path in the world of entrepreneurship.
“Small businesses are a big part of the American Dream — starting something on your own, competing in the market, and making a name for yourself,” DECA Sponsor Trent Jacobi said.
Junior Ellie Hill, owner of The Banner Bar, has built her business from the ground up this year, turning her creativity into a thriving small business. She specializes in creating banners for special events, such as parties and other celebrations.
“I hand-design and paint custom butcher paper banners, creating each one from scratch for people who want something personalized for a party, event, or special occasion,” Hill said.
Hill’s passion for the arts drives her business, giving her a way to turn creative ideas into something tangible.
“I’ve loved painting since I was little, and I wanted a flexible way to make money while being busy with school,” Hill said.
During her time as an entrepreneur, she has developed a process for carrying out each order, from the initial design stage all the way through to the final painted product.
“I start by creating a design from scratch on Canva, then use that as a guide to freehand it onto the large paper—after that, I hang it up and paint it,” Hill said.
Like Hill, Junior Natalia Martinez has seen substantial growth since starting her business earlier this year. Her business, Totes by Natalia, specializes in custom-painted tote bags.
“I’ve always loved art, but I couldn’t take art classes because of my music schedule, so I started painting on my own,” Martinez said.
Her love for art pushed her to continue creating on her own, leading her to find a creative way to apply her skills. Her experiences reflect the slow and sometimes uncertain process of building a business from scratch.
“I’d say it’s a slow process, but if you make the most out of it, it can be really fun—and having support from friends and family makes a big difference,” Martinez said.
While growth has come for both businesses, the coming of challenges on an entrepreneur’s journey is inevitable. Starting a business can be challenging, especially at the beginning, as highlighted by Martinez’s experiences this year.
“The hardest part of starting a business is getting started, reaching out to people you don’t know, and putting yourself out there,” Martinez said.
Finding the balance between school and their other activities has proven to be difficult.
“Balancing school and extracurriculars has been challenging because I don’t get home until around six most days, so there isn’t much time to work. The hardest part has really been trying to find a good balance and manage my time,” Hill said.
Both Hill and Martinez have worked incredibly hard to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship as they have continued to grow their businesses.
Despite the challenges, managing their own businesses became a defining experience that shaped both students’ independence and resilience.
“Learning about business teaches real-world skills like communication, networking, and problem-solving, while also helping students build confidence, make connections, and better understand how the real world works,” Jacobi said.