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This article appears courtesy of The Howler.

Lauren Tevepaugh, a junior, owns a business called Lauren Mikayla. It is a business where she sells products she designed and made. Lauren Mikayla began in May of 2014 when Tevepaugh started posting her products on social media. She has her own page featuring her work. Also, she has sold her products to four stores.

Tevepaugh said that she was inspired to start the business to fulfill her desire to be productive for people.

“I really like making [clothing] for other people,” said Tevepaugh.

Tevepaugh’s talent for making clothes was recognized in her apparel class.

“One of my best friends told me that my items, my garments that I created in Apparel, were really good,” said junior Lauren Tevepaugh. “So I just started my own business.”

Debbie Rhodes, Tevepaugh’s apparel teacher, realized Tevepaugh’s talents since her first apparel class.

“I knew when I had her in her first class in ninth grade, I knew she was going to be a very special student,” said Rhodes, “She is dedicated in learning sewing techniques.”
From owning her own business, Tevepaugh has learned to be more responsible and manage her time wisely.

“It has taught me to be more responsible, and time management is really important,” said Tevepaugh.

Tevepaugh has recently sold most of her items to a store in Clayton.

“A boutique in Clayton wanted to wholesale all of my items, which is really big for anyone,” said Tevepaugh. “I was really excited because I never had an opportunity like that before.

She has also consigned to three stores in the area.

“I also consigned to three stores already,” said Tevepaugh, “I consigned to a coffee shop in Wake Forest, an antique shop, and a Ship-on-Site in Wake Forest.”

Lauren Mikayla targets both teenagers and adults alike with her products.

“[My business] mostly targets mothers because I make baby clothes and teens because I make skirts, tote bags, and purses,” said Tevepaugh. “[My audience is] towards women.”
Tevepaugh’s success came from starting a page on Facebook.

“It starts small,” said Tevepaugh. “I started on just Facebook, selling little key chains, so it starts small.”

Tevepaugh also hopes to own a store where she sells her products.

“I hope that I can open a store when I get out of college because I am taking business classes for college,” said Tevepaugh.

For Rhodes, Tevepaugh’s productivity is blatant in the classroom.

“There is something new with her every day,” said Rhodes, “She works so fast, making two or three things; she is very independent.”

This aspiration has been with her for some years now.

“I’ve always wanted to open a store when I was younger,” said Tevepaugh.