Cabalum got her start in the business in 2021 before she came to college, and when she started thrifting for fun. Her excitement to come to MSU, as well as her newfound hobby, served as inspiration for the premise of her business. 

“I got into thrifting a bunch of clothes and then I was also just super excited to go to MSU, so I kind of put the two together," Cabalum said. "I've also always just loved fashion, so I created an account, just randomly, having no idea where it could possibly go.”

The business has created a community over the course of a year and a half, Cabalum said. She has expanded by implementing student ambassadors to promote her clothes and to assist with other various aspects of the social media shop. 

“They basically can get work experience with me as well as help to run my pop-up shops. They help market, sometimes I have them make graphics for me or things like that, just depending on their major or what they are interested in, they’re all very different,” said Cabalum. “I like how we can all come together as a community because we’re all really passionate about sustainability and fashion.”

Advertising management senior Onylah Taggart is also a member of East Lansing's fashion industry, as the owner of DBN Boutique – the first Black-owned boutique in the city.

When choosing what designs to feature in her boutique, Taggart said she caters to the needs of students. She has also personally designed some of the pieces sold in her shop.

“I just wanted to try to fit the needs of students, because sometimes we just want to have stuff to throw on. But then when we were ready to go out, we want to have more dressy kinds of things," Taggart said. "I want to keep up with the trends and ... give our students the option to have fashionable clothing, and new and exciting clothing as well."

Graphic design sophomore Ella Pettit does nail art and runs @msu.nails.ella on Instagram. She initially began doing her own nails to save money. Soon after, her friends encouraged her to turn her skills into a business. 

Pettit takes pride in her work through her client’s reactions and prioritizes customer satisfaction through her services that include gel nails and nail extensions. 

“I like seeing them happy and sometimes at actual nail salons you kind of get scared to tell them if you don't like something,” said Pettit. “So, I make sure my clients are really happy with what I'm doing.” 

Balancing schoolwork while also running a business has its challenges, but Cabalum said that balancing school and her work has helped teach her how to become more organized. 

“It's definitely overwhelming at times, and it's definitely made me become a more of an organized person, but I think the biggest part about it is being disciplined and consistent,” said Cabalum. 

Taggart has found similar difficulties, but has seen her business grow, regardless. 

“It’s hard to keep up with school and the demands of business because they're both like two separate full-time jobs,” Taggart said. “I'm just proud of growth and I'm proud of the fact that I was able to turn an idea into reality, so just seeing it every day is crazy to me."