Pushing through the struggles of online learning as well as the insanity of a COVID-19 world, female Venice High students have started businesses and are making a name for themselves.

One student, junior Arianna Flournoy, started Sessorizes by Ari, a business that makes lip glosses, oils and handmade jewelry. Through the business, she hopes to spread the message of girls supporting girls. 

“It’s super important for us to empower each other to reach great heights,” Flournoy said.

Senior Diana Garcia also recently began her business, Sweets by Diana, where her main focus is selling delectable sweets like cakes and chocolate-covered strawberries. 

“My parents were bakers, and now that I’m spending every day at home, I’m able to experiment with it more—and it eventually turned into this small business,” Garcia said. 

Not everything has been easy for these young business owners, however. At the end of the day, they are still high school students who have deadlines and other responsibilities to attend to. 

“Sometimes it’s hard because when I try to work it’s hard since I still have schoolwork to do,” said Flournoy. 

Through the struggles of COVID-19 and distance learning, they managed to perceive and launch a business that they both are proud to call their own. 

“I feel like I’ve learned a lot in general during these months and my work has also become better,” Garcia said. “I’m proud of what I’ve achieved.”