How Sixteen Year Olds Built an Apparel Empire
Building a Brand with Purpose: How Three Students Turned a Schoolwide Need into a Thriving Business
It started with an observation—students wanted school-approved apparel that actually reflected their style. Collette and Emi, two high school entrepreneurs in the RISE Entrepreneurship Program, spotted the gap and saw an opportunity. They envisioned a line of uniform-friendly pieces that blended compliance with creativity, giving their peers something they actually wanted to wear. With a well-researched business plan, they secured startup resources, investing in a heat press and high-quality materials. Soon, their idea transformed into a tangible brand, bringing their vision to life—one hand-pressed design at a time.
Word spread fast. As their apparel gained traction in the school's entrepreneurship incubator, they tracked sales, managed inventory, and refined their designs to keep up with demand. Realizing they needed to scale, they welcomed Claire to the team, expanding production without compromising quality. With each sale, their brand, Glory, evolved—growing from a school apparel solution to a full-fledged business featuring both uniform-approved pieces and an original Christian apparel line. Their approach? Hyper-limited hoodie drops, smart social media campaigns, and designs that spoke directly to their peers.
The response was electric. Students lined up outside the incubator store, eager to grab exclusive releases before they sold out. Profits climbed into the thousands, not just as a reflection of their entrepreneurial instincts, but their ability to build a brand that resonated. Yet, for Collette, Emi, and Claire, success wasn’t just about the bottom line—it was about impact. Every dollar earned went directly to a nonprofit supporting victims of human trafficking, turning their business into a vehicle for change.
More than just a high school project, Glory is proof of what happens when creativity meets purpose. These students didn’t just launch a business; they built a movement—one that seamlessly blends entrepreneurship, social responsibility, and real-world experience. And the best part? This is just the beginning.
