Story by: Michelle foster and Cassidy Klein Photo by: Michelle Foster, Cassidy Klein, and Mason Prik
Starting a business can be daunting. It is full of uncertainty and risks, but for history teacher Matt Paisley and senior Mason Pirk, passion for their products led to the creation of their small businesses. Paisley makes and sells running sandals, and Pirk creates custom pens.
“It’s not my day job, and I don’t need to do it to make a living,” says Paisley, whose running sandals are each uniquely handmade. “I believe in sandal running and want people to buy the shoe, so I keep costs low.”
Paisley started his business after an injury forced him to switch to sandal running. He couldn’t find a shoe he liked, so he began experimenting with his own designs. After seven years of trial and error, he has finally invented a shoe that he considers “pretty solid” and reliable.
He is happy to see customers wearing them and even gives special discounts to students.
“I really like them! The design is really good; he has changed it many times to help you stay on your feet. They are comfortable shoes,” says senior and Varsity cross-country runner Kamryn Hart.
In order to be successful in starting your own business, Paisley explains, “you have to know what you’re doing and be passionate. Don’t expect to make money… Start small but have a quality product. The problem with starting a business is that people make products but don’t know what they’re doing. They get so excited at first, but then lose that excitement the first time it fails. Keep going even when you’re not selling anything.”
Pirk started his own pen making business for his Senior Project. So far, his journey has been rewarding because he’s been able to expose the art of writing with fountain pens, which is what he is really passionate about.
“What I want to do is spread awareness for fountain pens and spread enjoyment of writing because that’s what it’s about. I could not care less if I make a lot of money,” says Pirk.
According to entrepreneur Jamie Dunn, the best time to start your own business is when you’re under 25 because “you’re most likely to have the least amount of financial outgoings each month, and this lack of financial pressure will allow you to focus and develop your idea.”
Don’t be afraid to take risks. This is the best time in your life to start a business if you have a product or service you are passionate about.
“Kids have to be passionate about what they sell. It will take about five years before you begin to make a profit. You have to be border-line obsessed with your product. If you’re not obsessed, you won’t be successful,” says Paisley.
If you’re determined and willing to work through failures, the profit and success will come eventually. The key is to persevere and bring your passion to life.
“If you don’t have passion, you don’t care. The enjoyment of success comes from how much you care, not how much money you make,” says Pirk.
“It’s not my day job, and I don’t need to do it to make a living,” says Paisley, whose running sandals are each uniquely handmade. “I believe in sandal running and want people to buy the shoe, so I keep costs low.”
Paisley started his business after an injury forced him to switch to sandal running. He couldn’t find a shoe he liked, so he began experimenting with his own designs. After seven years of trial and error, he has finally invented a shoe that he considers “pretty solid” and reliable.
He is happy to see customers wearing them and even gives special discounts to students.
“I really like them! The design is really good; he has changed it many times to help you stay on your feet. They are comfortable shoes,” says senior and Varsity cross-country runner Kamryn Hart.
In order to be successful in starting your own business, Paisley explains, “you have to know what you’re doing and be passionate. Don’t expect to make money… Start small but have a quality product. The problem with starting a business is that people make products but don’t know what they’re doing. They get so excited at first, but then lose that excitement the first time it fails. Keep going even when you’re not selling anything.”
Pirk started his own pen making business for his Senior Project. So far, his journey has been rewarding because he’s been able to expose the art of writing with fountain pens, which is what he is really passionate about.
“What I want to do is spread awareness for fountain pens and spread enjoyment of writing because that’s what it’s about. I could not care less if I make a lot of money,” says Pirk.
According to entrepreneur Jamie Dunn, the best time to start your own business is when you’re under 25 because “you’re most likely to have the least amount of financial outgoings each month, and this lack of financial pressure will allow you to focus and develop your idea.”
Don’t be afraid to take risks. This is the best time in your life to start a business if you have a product or service you are passionate about.
“Kids have to be passionate about what they sell. It will take about five years before you begin to make a profit. You have to be border-line obsessed with your product. If you’re not obsessed, you won’t be successful,” says Paisley.
If you’re determined and willing to work through failures, the profit and success will come eventually. The key is to persevere and bring your passion to life.
“If you don’t have passion, you don’t care. The enjoyment of success comes from how much you care, not how much money you make,” says Pirk.