From Homework to Business Work

Student-led businesses: Where the textbooks meet profits and the classrooms become the real world

Written by Addison Reynolds, Raymore-Peculiar Student
Initially published in “P.O.V. Publish Our Voices,” a student-run magazine showcasing the perspectives of young writers.

Only a select number of students can say they have started a successful business. Fiona West is one of them. Fiona attends the Raymore-Peculiar LEAD Center as well as Raymore-Peculiar High School. As a 16-year-old, West created a business called Redeem. Established in July of 2023, West’s business is based on clothing involving Christianity.

West began working through the meticulous process of creating designs for her business in June of 2023. With the help of West’s parents, she created an LLC.

An LLC allows West’s business to run. There were many late-night conversations about the forming of her business. Around a month later, West’s dream of a business finally came true.

For her audience, West targets buyers around the age of 16 to 40. She focuses on marketing through a website she created.

She sells all sorts of apparel. These include workout shirts, crewnecks, basic shirts, and hoodies. She also creates stickers to promote the business further. West hopes that spreading the word of Christ through her apparel will help others in the long run.

She also creates stickers to promote the business further. West hopes that spreading the word of Christ through her apparel will help others in the long run.

So far, her business has carried a steady online view, with 200 viewers a week. She receives around 2 orders a day. With school and outside activities, this makes it easier to manage a business as well as be involved in school. The Raymore-Peculiar LEAD Center has increased her knowledge of marketing and maintaining a stable business. West hopes to keep increasing her customers.

I really enjoy being able to help people and teach them about God. It makes me feel good knowing that I’m helping others seek His love.

Fiona West, Raymore-Peculiar High School Student

As a whole, West has put in countless hours and battled challenges. But in the end, it all paid off for her. With hard work and persistence, students like West can continue to work towards their entrepreneurial dreams.