Nikki Guinasso ’26
Senior Nikki Guinasso began knitting blankets simply for fun during her sophomore year, and never expected it to grow into something more. This fun hobby eventually led to her creating a small business centered around sharing her craft with others.
After making her first few blankets for herself and her mom, she realized how much she enjoyed the creative process and eventually began selling her handmade pieces to people who directly requested one or at local markets. Each blanket takes several hours to complete, as it requires careful attention to detail and patience. Despite the considerable time commitment it requires, her favorite part is seeing the reactions of people who receive them and the joy they experience when purchasing one. Those moments help make the time spent worth it.
The most challenging part of this whole experience is finding the time to knit, especially during busy weeks filled with homework and activities.
Reflecting on her experience, Guinasso offers advice to anyone thinking of creating a small business, stating, “Be careful with [turning hobbies into something more] because . . . for me, I burned out of it, like, it just . . . takes a lot of time and there’s just so much that goes into it that . . . [it can] become . . . not fun anymore.”
Guinasso’s advice emphasizes the importance of keeping a business enjoyable and maintaining a balance when running one. Her small business reminds others that creative work should be fulfilling and not pressured.
Guinasso’s experience demonstrates how far a simple hobby can evolve into something truly special, and encourages students to explore their own interests and always remember what they are capable of creating.
Matilda La Russa ’29
Freshman Matilda La Russa’s passion for baking eventually became “Bakery on the Run,” a small business where she sells and delivers delicious homemade desserts.
La Russa’s menu changes every week depending on what she decides to bake, but she mainly sells cookies, bars and cupcakes. Customers will place orders online, and once everything is finished, she will deliver the desserts herself. On average, she spends three to four hours baking each week, although the workload varies depending on the number of orders she receives. For
her, the most challenging part of the whole process is producing enough batches at once and ensuring her oven does not overheat.
Her favorite part of the process is when she delivers her desserts and has the opportunity to see people’s excitement firsthand. These special moments help motivate her to keep on baking.
La Russa explains how her business began, stating, “I just was baking way too much, and people started to buy what I was selling, so it turned into a bakery.”
What began as something she enjoyed doing at home naturally developed into her own business, supported by the people who love her baked goods. Selling treats became a practical way to share them with others
To anyone thinking about starting their own business, she offers encouragement, saying, “Do it! You’re going to find a new experience, and it’s going to help you become a better person.”
Her story shows how a simple hobby can turn into an amazing opportunity when a person is willing to take a chance. It also highlights how exploring personal interests can lead to new, rewarding experiences for everyone to enjoy.
