Passion and Drive: An Interview with LC’s Student Entrepreneurs

by Mara Bech

Have you ever wondered what it might be like to run your own business? According to Ella Althoff, Lauren Wallace, and Gabi Swanson, it’s never too early to start. I interviewed these three LC students on their entrepreneurial journeys and the unique challenges of balancing student life with business management.

The Baker: Ella Althoff

Ella Althoff decided that starting her own business was the way to go after thinking about ways to earn money for college.“I wanted a job that I could choose the hours I worked and the amount of work I wanted to do each week. I did not like the idea of someone else telling me what to do.” In January 2025, she began her home bakery, which she runs out of her parents’ basement.

Baking is more than a source of income for Althoff, though – it’s a way to spread some joy in the community. “I love baking, I love it. It’s the ultimate stress reliever and comes with a tasty reward,” she said. “I love feeling like the treats I make have an impact on other people.” She notes that the rising prices of ingredients have been a challenge. “I’m thinking about buying a couple chickens so I don’t have to keep buying eggs…[the cost] of butter and eggs alone is astronomical.”

When it comes to balancing school and baking, Althoff says that the key is planning. She makes a schedule at the beginning of every week, allowing her to “purchase all of my ingredients in one trip which saves time and gas,” leaving more time for baking and homework.

Althoff bakes cakes, cookies, macarons, and a myriad of other treats. They can be ordered with the order form found on her Instagram page, @e.rosebakery.

The Knitter: Lauren Wallace

Lauren Wallace began her small business a year ago after making her first hand-knitted blanket. Like Althoff, she enjoys the process just as much as the product. “It’s a lot of fun to make the blankets and everyone I’ve made one for has been really happy with the product.” Wallace said that one of her largest challenges is dealing with the supply chain. “I get most of my yarn through Joann Fabrics, so it’s sometimes a gamble with getting the amounts I need.” With Joann’s recent decision to liquidate most of their locations, Wallace anticipates having to find alternative yarn suppliers.

Aside from materials, she notes that it’s been smooth sailing, saying that “each blanket only takes me 3 to 4 hours to make, so some of them are finished in one sitting.” That very first blanket still sits on her bed today, serving as inspiration for all the blankets that have followed.

Wallace takes orders through direct messages on her Instagram page, @_laurenn.knits and offers a variety of sizes and color options for her delightfully cozy blankets.

The Artist: Gabi Swanson

Gabi Swanson discovered her passion for nail art in 5th grade after her mom gave her a gel kit, diving into Youtube tutorials and learning new techniques on her own nails. Soon after, in 8th grade, she began doing sets on other people at a desk in her dining room. Her business really took off as an underclassman at LC, when she started taking on more clients.

According to Swanson, one of the most gratifying parts of her journey was realizing how much she’s progressed in her skills since those first sets. “It used to take me over three hours to do a set of nails and now it only takes me under an hour and a half, depending on what the design is.” Swanson also uses Instagram to advertise and promote her business – she started her account with around 150 followers; now, it’s grown to nearly 600 followers, including Spokane nail companies, such as Glaze. “I hope to be working with them one day – that would be awesome,” Swanson said. When it comes to the process itself, she says seeing people’s reactions to her work is the most rewarding. “When I make people’s day by doing really cute nails, I think that that’s my favorite part.”

In addition to managing her small business, Swanson is on the varsity cheer squad and works at Ferrante’s. Sometimes her packed schedule comes with sacrifices – as Swanson told me, “Right around homecoming I ran out of time, overbooked myself and had two or three sets on actual homecoming day. I thought it was funny that the student who did all the nails didn’t have her nails done.” With her incredible work ethic and talent, it’s no wonder that Swanson has a loyal and always-expanding client base. “I do everybody’s nails! I do people’s grandma’s, I do people’s mom’s, I do girls from our school, girls from the northside, valley, Cheney…I even do my doctor’s nails, which is lowkey crazy!”