Lines of students moved between booths as the scent of fresh food filled the air, but beyond the snacks and drinks, handmade products and student-run businesses drew just as much attention at Gabrielino High School’s Night Market on April 2.
While night markets are typically centered around food, the event also highlighted student entrepreneurs who transformed personal hobbies into small businesses, offering everything from crocheted goods to custom nails and baked treats.
Junior Rachel Yip began crocheting as a hobby before turning it into a business, “Crochet by Rae.”
“I learned how to crochet by watching YouTube videos online and constantly practicing on a daily basis,” Yip said.
“I was inspired to start selling my crochets after my friends showed genuine interest in my work.”
Yip created a range of handmade items, including keychains, plushies, coasters, and hair clips. When preparing for the Night Market, she focused on items that would appeal to customers while allowing her to maintain enough inventory.
“I had to make sure that they were the ones that would get the most business while also having a lot of inventory to display,” Yip said.
Despite the creative process, Yip noted challenges in maintaining consistency. “I believe that the most difficult part of crocheting is maintaining consistency throughout the project [because] crocheting can often be time-consuming,” Yip said.
Still, she described the overall experience as rewarding. “The Night Market experience for me has been amazing, [… ]being able to interact with customers and seeing them enjoy my crochet products.” Yip shared.
Junior Angelina Dieu also showcased her business, “Nails by Angelina,” through custom press-on nails. She first experimented with nail design using her sister’s kit before expanding her work into a business.
“I was inspired by my interest in creativity and art,” Angelina said.
“As I gained confidence, I expanded my clientele by selling press-ons and offering gel extension appointments.”
At the Night Market, she focused on almond-shaped nails, which she described as one of the most popular trends. She offered a variety of designs, ranging from simple chrome finishes to detailed sets with three-dimensional embellishments.
Angelina said she finds inspiration primarily through Pinterest, while also experimenting with original designs. Each set takes between 30 minutes to an hour to complete, depending on the complexity.
“Preparing for the Night Market was a long and sometimes tedious process,” Angelina said.
Despite the workload, she emphasized the positive aspects of the experience. “The most enjoyable part of the Night Market was being able to share my business with new customers and interact with people who were interested in my work,” Angelina said.
Senior Kacie Nguyen, owner of “Kacie Bakes,” also participated by selling baked goods. Nguyen developed an interest in baking at a young age and expanded it during quarantine.
“As a kid, I was really into baking. During quarantine, I had a lot of time to get into that” Nguyen said.
At the event, Nguyen sold three types of cookies: chocolate chip, matcha and strawberry crunch, which she identified as her best-selling items. She draws inspiration from both customer feedback and social media.
Preparation for the Night Market involved several days of work. “I will make a bunch of cookie dough and freeze it, and then I will bake and pack myself, so it is a few-day process,” Nguyen said.
Nguyen identified time management as one of the most challenging aspects of running her business. “Sometimes it is a little exhausting because it takes so much time,” Nguyen said.
However, she said the opportunity to reach more people makes the effort worthwhile. “The best part is reaching a bigger audience and seeing new faces,” Nguyen said.
Nguyen also advised students interested in starting their own business to be prepared for the workload and to value their work appropriately.
The Night Market provided student vendors with an opportunity to share their creativity, connect with customers and gain experience running a business.
