Makenna Nutt chats with customers at the Student Small Business
Market, held December 1 in the Kirkhof Center. Nutt crochets
keepsakes, hats and sweaters.
Photo Credit: Thomas Garrett
As most students prepared for exams, some prepped their small
businesses for a busy holiday season.
At the Student Small Business Market, held December 1 in the Kirkhof
Center, students displayed their products, from crochet works and
jewelry to artist prints and apparel lines. Three students shared
their stories about their businesses.
Makenna Nutt: Kenna Crochet Shop Makenna Nutt is a junior who is majoring in biomedical sciences;
she hopes to become an occupational therapist. When she takes a break
from studying, Nutt crochets all sorts of creative patterns and items
for her small business, Kenna Crochet Shop.
“I originally started crocheting during COVID, because I had nothing
better to do, and then I made a birthday present for my cousin and
enjoyed that feeling of giving someone something handmade,” said Nutt.
A native of Macomb, Nutt turned her side hobby into a business last
year and attended the 2022 Small Business Market.
“In the past, I was that person who would pick something up for a
couple of weeks, like painting or sculpting, and move on to the next
thing. But with the instant gratification crocheting provides, I
haven’t stopped,” Nutt said.
Her projects can range from 15 minutes to several hours of
crocheting. Nutt creates pieces from small ornamental snowflakes and
snowmen to hats and sweaters.
“I am working on trying to balance my time as I start to think of
this hobby as more of a business,” she said. “I am a student, I do not
have unlimited time, but I love making these little gifts for people.”
Javion Ward: Money Over Fame Apparel Money Over Fame Apparel
represents owner Javion Ward’s passion for hard work and getting
ahead. Ward created the clothing company when he was 16, acquiring his
own LLC after researching the legalities of owning a small business.
“My drive is all about being financially free, and the name
represents that, as well as some of my other personality traits such
as being a bit of an introvert,” Ward said.
Originally from Detroit, the sophomore said he hopes to pair an
undergraduate business degree with a concentration in
entrepreneurship. Ward’s dream is to make his small student business a
major business in the clothing market. He is building his educational
plan to support this goal.
“It all just clicked a little before I started the business. I loved
clothing and fashion but didn’t have the resources to buy the best
clothes, so I decided to start making my own. Now I make comfy clothes
that make me feel good about myself, and hopefully do the same for
others,” he said.
Arianna Kraljic: Arianna K's Jewelry While studying for a master’s degree in social work, Arianna
Kraljic also runs her small business, Arianna K’s Jewelry. What
started with a broken necklace in high school turned into a passion
for this craft, said Kraljic.
“It is a bit costly at times and can create a bit of a mess, but I
enjoy seeing the reaction on people’s faces when they see the work I
come up with,” said Kraljic.
The GVSU market is just one of many markets Kraljic tries to attend.
As she expands her audience, she is also expanding her skill set as
she explores a variety of jewelry-making mediums, from beads to epoxy
resin to polymer clay.
“It can be messy, smelly and a little expensive, but I thrive on
this,” she said. “As someone who feels like they always need to be
doing something productive, this has helped me fill my time and get
that great feeling of giving someone a gift.”