12 Best Things to Sell at School to Make Money

12 Best Things to Sell at School to Make Money Making money while you’re still in school can teach valuable lessons about entrepreneurship, financial responsibility, and business management. Whether you’re saving for a special purchase, building an emergency fund, or learning the basics of running a small business, selling products at school can be both profitable and educational. This comprehensive guide explores the twelve best items you can sell at school, along with practical tips for maximizing your success.

Understanding School Policies Before You Start

Before launching your school-based business venture, it’s essential to understand and respect your school’s regulations. Most educational institutions have specific policies regarding commercial activities on campus. Schedule a meeting with your principal or dean of students to discuss your plans. Some schools require written permission, while others may have designated times and locations for student entrepreneurs.

Being transparent with school administrators demonstrates maturity and professionalism. It also protects you from potential disciplinary action. Many schools are supportive of student entrepreneurship initiatives, especially when they align with educational goals and don’t disrupt the learning environment.

1. Homemade Baked Goods

Baked goods consistently rank among the most profitable items students can sell at school. Cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and muffins appeal to students with sweet cravings throughout the day. The beauty of selling baked goods lies in their relatively low production costs and high-profit margins.

Start by perfecting a few signature recipes that set your products apart from store-bought alternatives. Consider offering unique flavors like red velvet cookies, salted caramel brownies, or lemon blueberry muffins. Package your treats attractively using cellophane bags tied with colorful ribbons, or invest in small bakery boxes for a professional presentation.

Pricing strategy matters significantly. Research what students are willing to pay by observing prices at your school cafeteria or nearby convenience stores. Generally, individual cookies can sell for one to two dollars, while larger items like cupcakes or brownie squares can command two to three dollars each.

Food safety should be your top priority. Maintain clean preparation areas, wash your hands thoroughly, and avoid common allergens when possible, or clearly label products containing nuts, dairy, or gluten.

2. Candy and Snacks

Selling candy and snacks requires minimal preparation and offers excellent profit potential. Purchase bulk candy from warehouse stores or wholesale suppliers, then repackage in smaller quantities for individual sale. Popular choices include chocolate bars, gummy candies, chips, and trendy snacks.

The key to success with candy sales is offering variety and convenience. Students often forget to bring snacks from home or crave something sweet between classes. Position yourself as the go-to solution for these moments.

Buy candy at wholesale prices, typically fifty percent or less of retail value, then sell at or slightly below convenience store prices. This strategy ensures healthy margins while remaining competitive. A candy bar purchased for fifty cents can easily sell for one dollar, doubling your investment.

Create attractive displays or use a small container to showcase your inventory. Organization makes browsing easier and encourages impulse purchases. Rotate your stock regularly based on what sells best, and consider seasonal favorites like candy canes during winter or chocolate eggs near spring holidays.

3. Beverages

Thirsty students represent a consistent market throughout the school day. Bottled water, sports drinks, juice boxes, and canned sodas all sell well, especially if your school’s vending machines are limited, expensive, or inconveniently located.

Temperature matters when selling beverages. Invest in a small cooler or insulated bag with ice packs to keep drinks cold, which significantly increases their appeal and allows you to charge premium prices. Cold beverages on warm days can sell exceptionally fast.

Purchase drinks in bulk from wholesale clubs where cases often cost significantly less per unit than retail prices. Price your beverages competitively while maintaining sufficient profit margins. A bottle of water that costs forty cents wholesale can reasonably sell for one to one-fifty at school.

Consider offering variety to cater to different preferences. Some students prefer water, while others want energy drinks or flavored beverages. Understanding your customer base helps optimize your inventory selection.

4. School Supplies

Students frequently forget essential supplies or run out at inconvenient times. Selling pens, pencils, erasers, highlighters, notebooks, and folders addresses genuine needs while generating steady income. This business model works particularly well at the beginning of semesters and around exam periods when supply usage peaks.

Focus on quality items that students actually need and use daily. Mechanical pencils, gel pens in various colors, sticky notes, and index cards typically sell well. Consider bundling related items, such as offering a “study kit” with highlighters, pens, and sticky notes at a slight discount compared to individual prices.

Purchase supplies during back-to-school sales when retailers offer significant discounts. Dollar stores and wholesale clubs provide excellent options for bulk purchasing. Mark up your prices reasonably, understanding that convenience commands a premium. A pen purchased for twenty-five cents can sell for seventy-five cents or one dollar.

Position your supply business strategically by setting up before major tests or at the start of new grading periods when students are most likely to need fresh materials.

5. Custom Stickers and Buttons

Creative students can profit from designing and selling custom stickers or buttons featuring popular memes, inspirational quotes, school mascots, or trending topics. This option allows personal expression while building a unique brand identity.

Invest in a quality sticker printer or order custom stickers from online printing services. Buttons require a button-making machine, which represents a larger upfront investment but offers excellent long-term profitability. Many libraries and community centers have button makers available for public use, reducing your initial costs.

Design versatility helps maximize sales. Create designs appealing to different student groups, interests, and personalities. Monitor social media trends and popular culture to stay relevant. Limited edition designs create urgency and exclusivity, encouraging faster purchases.

Price stickers between one and three dollars depending on size and complexity, while buttons typically sell for two to four dollars. These items have minimal production costs once you’ve made your initial equipment investment, resulting in impressive profit margins.

6. Phone Accessories

In our technology-dependent world, phone accessories represent a lucrative market. PopSockets, phone cases, screen protectors, charging cables, and portable chargers all appeal to smartphone-carrying students who want to protect and personalize their devices.

Research trending designs and popular phone models at your school to ensure your inventory matches student needs. Order accessories from wholesale suppliers or online marketplaces offering bulk discounts. Quality matters, as students won’t return to purchase from you if products break immediately.

Charging cables and portable chargers sell particularly well since students often forget chargers at home or experience dead batteries during long school days. These functional items command higher prices than purely decorative accessories.

Display your accessories attractively, allowing potential customers to see designs and handle products. Visual merchandising significantly impacts impulse purchases in this category.

7. Handmade Jewelry and Crafts

Artistic students can turn creative talents into profitable ventures by selling handmade jewelry, keychains, bookmarks, or other crafts. Unique, personalized items often sell for premium prices because they can’t be found elsewhere.

Master a few techniques thoroughly rather than attempting every possible craft. Beaded bracelets, wire-wrapped rings, embroidered patches, or painted pins all work well. Use quality materials that withstand daily wear, ensuring customer satisfaction and repeat business.

Take custom orders to increase profits and customer engagement. Allowing students to request specific colors, designs, or personalization creates connection and justifies higher prices. Document your work through photos to showcase capabilities and build your portfolio.

Price your crafts based on material costs, time investment, and comparable market prices. Don’t undervalue your artistic labor, but remain realistic about what students can afford. Items ranging from five to twenty dollars typically sell well in school environments.

8. Trading Cards and Collectibles

Trading cards for popular games or sports remain incredibly popular among certain student demographics. Whether Pokemon, Magic: The Gathering, sports cards, or other collectibles, these items generate passionate interest and consistent demand.

Become knowledgeable about the products you’re selling. Understanding card values, rarity, and desirability helps you price appropriately and build trust with customers. Follow online communities and price guides to stay informed about market fluctuations.

Purchase cards through booster packs, bundles, or by acquiring collections from people leaving the hobby. Sell individual cards at fair market prices or offer mystery packs for students seeking the excitement of random pulls.

This business requires more expertise than others but offers substantial profit potential when done correctly. Building reputation as a reliable, fair dealer encourages repeat customers and word-of-mouth marketing.

9. Printed Study Guides and Notes

Academically strong students can monetize their organizational skills and subject mastery by creating and selling study guides, summarized notes, or practice quizzes. This business model helps other students while generating income from academic strengths.

Focus on challenging courses or popular subjects where students commonly struggle. Ensure your materials are accurate, well-organized, and genuinely helpful. Use clear formatting, highlight key concepts, and include examples that clarify difficult topics.

Ethical considerations matter significantly here. Never sell copies of copyrighted materials, teacher-created content, or actual test answers. Your materials should be original study aids that help students learn, not shortcuts that promote academic dishonesty.

Price study guides based on comprehensiveness and utility. Simple one-page summaries might sell for two to three dollars, while comprehensive exam review packets could command ten to fifteen dollars.

10. Custom T-Shirts and Apparel

School spirit wear and custom t-shirts celebrating sports teams, clubs, events, or inside jokes can generate significant profits. While this business requires more startup investment, profit margins on apparel can be substantial.

Use online print-on-demand services or local screen printers to produce designs. Take pre-orders to minimize financial risk and ensure you only produce items with confirmed buyers. Create designs that resonate with your specific school culture.

Collaborate with clubs, sports teams, or student organizations to create official or semi-official merchandise. These partnerships provide built-in customer bases and lending legitimacy to your products.

T-shirts typically retail between fifteen and twenty-five dollars, with production costs ranging from five to ten dollars per shirt depending on volume and printing method. Hoodies and other premium items command higher prices.

11. Personalized Services

Sometimes the most profitable ventures aren’t physical products but services. Consider offering homework help, tutoring, tech support, graphic design, or social media management for student organizations. Service-based businesses have virtually no material costs, making them highly profitable.

Identify skills that differentiate you from other students. Perhaps you excel at math, understand computer programming, or have graphic design capabilities. Market these abilities to students who need assistance.

Charge competitive hourly rates or project-based fees depending on the service. Tutoring might command ten to twenty dollars per hour, while design work could be priced per project. Build a portfolio demonstrating your capabilities and collect testimonials from satisfied customers.

Service businesses scale differently than product sales but can generate consistent income once you establish reputation and clientele.

12. Seasonal and Event-Specific Items

Timing matters in entrepreneurship. Selling seasonal items during relevant periods maximizes profitability. Valentine’s Day cards and candy, Halloween treats, holiday decorations, or prom accessories all capitalize on specific moments when demand peaks.

Plan ahead by researching upcoming school events, holidays, and celebrations. Purchase inventory in advance, often at post-season clearance prices from the previous year. Students pay premium prices for convenient, timely access to seasonal items.

Create themed bundles or packages that simplify purchasing decisions. A Valentine’s Day package with a card, candy, and small gift sells better than individual components.

Event-specific items for homecoming, spirit weeks, or championship games also sell extremely well. Partner with student government or school organizations to become the official or preferred vendor for these occasions.

Maximizing Your School Business Success

Success in school-based entrepreneurship extends beyond simply having products to sell. Implement these strategies to maximize profitability and create sustainable business practices.

Understand your market by observing what students buy, when they buy, and how much they’re willing to spend. Conduct informal surveys or simply pay attention to purchasing patterns. Customer preferences guide inventory decisions and pricing strategies.

Provide excellent customer service consistently. Friendly, reliable, and honest dealings build reputation faster than any advertising. Word-of-mouth recommendations from satisfied customers remain your most powerful marketing tool.

Manage inventory carefully to avoid tying up too much money in unsold products. Start small, test what sells, then scale successful items while discontinuing poor performers. Track what sells and when to identify patterns informing future purchasing decisions.

Market strategically without being pushy. Social media, word-of-mouth, and strategic positioning during lunch or breaks all work well. Create an Instagram account showcasing products or use school-appropriate communication channels to reach potential customers.

Price competitively while respecting your profit needs. Research comparable prices and understand your costs thoroughly. Remember that convenience often justifies slight premiums over store prices.

Reinvest profits wisely to grow your business gradually. Use earnings to expand inventory, improve packaging, or add new product lines rather than spending everything immediately.

Conclusion

Selling products at school offers valuable entrepreneurial experience while generating income for your goals. Whether you choose baked goods, school supplies, custom crafts, or services, success comes from understanding your market, providing value, and operating with integrity.

Start small with one or two product categories that match your interests and capabilities. Learn from experience, adapt based on results, and gradually expand as you gain confidence and capital. The business skills, financial literacy, and work ethic you develop through these ventures will benefit you far beyond your school years.

Remember that education remains your primary purpose at school. Balance entrepreneurial activities with academic responsibilities, and never let business interfere with learning. When managed properly, school-based businesses complement education by providing practical applications for math, communication, marketing, and problem-solving skills learned in the classroom.

Your entrepreneurial journey starts with a single sale. Choose your products, understand your market, respect school policies, and begin building your business today.