Starting a small business at school can be an exciting and rewarding venture for students looking to earn extra money.
With a little creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, you can tap into the needs and desires of your peers, turning everyday items into profitable sales opportunities.
The school environment is ripe with potential customers who are always on the lookout for convenient snacks, trendy accessories, or unique products that express their individuality.
This guide will explore some of the best things to sell at school to make money.
Each idea is designed to inspire you to think creatively about what you can offer, how to market your products effectively, and ultimately, how to turn your passion into profit.
So, gather your ideas and get ready to embark on an entrepreneurial journey that can enhance your school experience while boosting your financial skills.
1. Snacks and Candy
Students love quick snacks between classes, making candy, chips, and chocolates an easy sell. Choose affordable, high-demand treats like gummy bears, sour candy, or energy bars. Bulk-buying reduces costs, increasing profit margins.
Be mindful of school rules—some prohibit selling food. If allowed, consider healthier options like granola bars or fruit snacks to appeal to more students. Seasonal treats, like holiday-themed chocolates, can also boost sales. Position yourself strategically—lunchtime and after-school rushes are ideal.
To stand out, offer exclusive or limited-time flavors. Always reinvest earnings into restocking popular items for consistent profits.
2. Drinks and Beverages
Students often forget to bring drinks, making beverages a profitable choice. Bottled water, iced tea, and energy drinks sell well, especially on warm days. Consider selling hot chocolate or coffee in winter for extra appeal.
Bulk-buying from wholesalers ensures competitive pricing. Schools with vending machines might limit drink sales, so check regulations first. If allowed, personalizing drink options, like homemade lemonade or flavored water, adds uniqueness.
Selling during sports events or study sessions can maximize profits. Stay organized by keeping drinks cold and easily accessible to encourage impulse purchases from thirsty classmates.
3. School Supplies
Pens, notebooks, and highlighters are essential for students, and many forget or lose theirs. Selling school supplies is a reliable way to make money since there’s a constant demand.
Offer stylish or unique items, like scented pens, colorful sticky notes, or mini staplers, to attract more buyers. Buying in bulk from discount stores reduces costs and increases profit margins.
Consider bundling supplies into sets for added value. Position yourself near classrooms or the library for better sales. Promoting limited-time offers, such as exam season bundles, can create urgency and boost demand.
4. Personalized Accessories
Custom keychains, stickers, and wristbands are trendy, making them great school-sellable items. You can design unique pieces featuring school colors, inside jokes, or pop culture references.
Personalized items stand out, and students love showing off something unique. Buying materials in bulk and using online design tools keeps costs low.
If creative, consider making DIY bracelets or phone charms. Promote your products through word-of-mouth or social media. Taking custom orders allows students to request specific designs, increasing demand. Selling during school events or spirit weeks can further boost sales.
5. Tech Accessories
Many students use phones, making tech accessories like charging cables, earbuds, and phone grips profitable. These items are easy to source cheaply online and can be sold at a good markup.
Popular choices include LED phone chargers, cute AirPod cases, and anti-blue light screen protectors. Students often need replacements, so demand remains steady.
To increase appeal, offer themed designs related to favorite TV shows, games, or school logos. Selling before or after class ensures more visibility. Keeping a small, well-organized inventory helps manage stock and prevents losses.
6. Fashion Items
Trendy fashion accessories like scrunchies, rings, or sunglasses can be big sellers at school. Students love affordable ways to upgrade their style.
Buy wholesale to maximize profits and offer a mix of trendy and classic styles. Handmade jewelry, like beaded bracelets or name necklaces, adds a unique touch.
Selling seasonal items, such as scarves in winter or sunglasses in summer, keeps things fresh. Create a display board or Instagram page to showcase your products. Word-of-mouth marketing works well—offering small discounts for referrals can boost sales.
7. Study Guides and Notes
Selling well-organized study guides and past exam notes is an easy way to make money while helping classmates.
Students often struggle to compile effective study materials, so high-quality summaries are in demand. Subjects with complex concepts, like math or science, are particularly valuable. Make neat, easy-to-understand notes and sell digital or printed copies.
Charging a small fee for each guide can generate consistent income. Ensure accuracy to maintain a good reputation. Group study sessions with a small entrance fee can also be a profitable alternative to selling notes directly.
8. Handmade Crafts
If you’re crafty, selling handmade items like greeting cards, paintings, or friendship bracelets can be profitable. Many students love unique, personalized items, making them a great market.
You can create seasonal or holiday-themed crafts to boost sales. Customization, such as adding names or initials, adds extra value.
Buying materials in bulk keeps production costs low. Promoting your crafts on social media or taking pre-orders can ensure consistent sales. Setting up a small pop-up shop during school events or festivals can maximize visibility and attract buyers.
9. Gaming Items
If your school has a strong gaming culture, selling gaming-related items like controller grips, custom mouse pads, or trading cards can be a hit.
Many students are passionate about gaming and willing to spend money on accessories that enhance their experience. Limited-edition cards, stickers, or themed merchandise related to popular games tend to sell quickly.
Buying in bulk from online suppliers keeps costs low. Selling at lunchtime or during gaming club meetups increases visibility. Offering pre-orders for highly requested items ensures demand and reduces unsold stock risks.
10. Subscription-Based Services
A subscription model works well for services like daily snacks, joke-of-the-day messages, or personalized study reminders. This approach ensures repeat customers and consistent income.
For example, a snack subscription delivers a different treat daily, while a tutoring subscription provides weekly study materials. Offering a low-cost trial helps attract more sign-ups. Creating a simple payment system, such as weekly or monthly fees, keeps things organized.
Promoting through social media, posters, or word-of-mouth helps spread awareness. Once you build a reliable subscriber base, expanding offerings becomes easier.
11. Custom T-Shirts
Custom t-shirts provide an opportunity for creativity while generating income at school events or throughout the year.
You can design shirts featuring popular slogans, school spirit themes, or unique graphics that resonate with your peers. Using online platforms to create designs allows you to order shirts in bulk at lower costs before reselling them at a profit.
Promote your t-shirts during school events or through social media channels to reach potential buyers effectively. This venture not only fosters creativity but also strengthens community spirit within the school
12. Printables for School Binders
Creating and selling printables for school binders is an innovative way to generate income.
These can include dividers, covers, or organizational sheets that help students keep their materials sorted. The process is straightforward: design your printables using software, print them on quality paper, and sell them at school.
This venture requires minimal upfront investment and allows for significant markup on each item sold.
Additionally, promoting your printables through social media platforms or school events can help you reach a wider audience. Customization options may also attract more buyers looking for personalized solution.
13. Locker Decorations
Locker decorations are a fun and profitable item to sell, especially at the start of the school year. Many students enjoy personalizing their lockers with magnetic mirrors, LED lights, small shelves, and stylish wallpaper.
Selling custom name tags or themed sticker packs can also be a great way to attract buyers. Buying supplies in bulk and assembling kits with various decorations makes the process easier.
Seasonal items, like holiday-themed decor, can increase demand. Offering bundle deals or discounts for multiple purchases encourages students to buy more. Promoting through word-of-mouth and social media helps increase sales.
14. Fitness and Sports Gear
If your school has active students, selling fitness-related items like resistance bands, reusable water bottles, and sweatbands can be a great money-making opportunity.
Athletes always need new gear, and students in gym class may forget essentials like hair ties or deodorant, making them easy impulse buys.
Buying wholesale keeps costs low while selling branded or customized items can boost demand. Selling during sports events, gym classes, or near the school’s fitness center helps maximize visibility. Offering package deals, such as a “gym essentials kit,” can make your products even more appealing to students.
15. Mini Self-Care Kits
With school stress being common, mini self-care kits can be a hit among students. These can include small items like lip balm, scented hand sanitizer, face masks, or stress balls.
Packaging them nicely in small pouches makes them more appealing. You can create different themes, such as “Exam Survival Kit” or “Relaxation Pack,” to attract different buyers.
Buying in bulk helps lower costs while bundling items increases perceived value. Promoting self-care benefits and offering small samples can boost interest. Selling around exam periods or before holidays maximizes sales, as students look for ways to de-stress.
16. Phone Accessories
Phone accessories are a hot commodity among students who want to personalize and protect their devices. Items like phone cases, screen protectors, and charging cables are always in demand, especially with the prevalence of smartphones in schools.
By sourcing these accessories in bulk from wholesalers or online marketplaces, you can offer them at competitive prices. Setting up a small display in common areas or during school events can attract attention.
Additionally, keeping up with the latest trends, such as popular colors or designs, ensures that your offerings resonate with your peers. This venture can yield significant profits with the right approach.
17.Jewelry and Accessories
Handmade jewelry and accessories can be a unique and profitable item to sell at school. Items like friendship bracelets, necklaces, and hair accessories appeal to students looking for personal expression or gifts for friends.
By using affordable materials and crafting your pieces, you can create a distinctive product line that stands out. Promoting your jewelry through social media or during school events can help generate interest.
Consider offering customization options, allowing buyers to choose colors or charms that reflect their personality. This creative endeavor not only provides an income stream but also allows you to showcase your artistic talents.