With college acceptances and more serious career considerations, seniors at North Kingstown High School are beginning to prepare for the “real world.” However, some students have already made steps to explore their passions and futures through entrepreneurship. In starting their own companies to provide services and / or products to the public, several NK seniors have entered the business world before adulthood.

Sydney Pichette, one entrepreneur from the Class of 2017, officially started selling handmade necklaces made with unique chord and rocks through her business Stoned by Sydney in the summer of 2016. The idea for her business sprouted from her realization of how overpriced products were. “I was fed up with seeing such expensive necklaces from big commercial companies and I knew it was a rip-off,” Pichette said. “I had said to myself ‘I bet I could make that,’ and then I did.”

Despite sometimes struggling to balance the creation and shipping aspects of her business with her school work, Pichette has found many benefits from her work besides providing a source of income.

“Not only is it awesome to see people enjoying something that I’m making, and know that they’re getting something at an affordable cost, but I’ve actually been able to meet and talk to many new people and everyone that’s supported the business has been so generous and kind,” Pichette said.

Though Pichette does not plan to follow a path of entrepreneurship for a career, she does plan to further her current business through the use of new material, experimenting with new kinds of jewelry, and altering her website. Pichette’s unique and handmade products can be found at StonedBySydney.com and at the Instagram account @StonedBySydney.

Another business started by several North Kingstown seniors Mana-tees, a company which makes premium clothing in order to contribute to the saving of manatees. Seniors Bruce Coppola, Michael Madoian, and Joseph Piacitelli started their business on June 29, 2016 because they saw an opportunity to both make money and support a cause that they care about.

At the end of each fiscal year, Mana-tees will donate 5 percent of all net profits to the nonprofit organization Save the Manatee.

The three seniors plan to pursue entrepreneurship in the future. “Being innovative and earning money is something we all love,” Coppola said. Their business has taught them the benefits of having a good work ethic and the results of hard work, as well as time management.

While all three business partners have to balance their academic coursework, athletic activities, and social lives while managing their company, they hope that their business expands and grows in popularity. To support these students and the endangered wildlife for whom they advocate, their products can be found on the website www.Mana-tees.co or the Instagram account @Mana-tees.co.

From applying to colleges to creating websites, these seniors represent the creativity and workmanship of North Kingstown High School’s Class of 2017. They help to foreshadow the future success and ambition of these upcoming graduates.