At the age of ten, sophomore Antoneta Gjonaj’s parents opened Neta’s Homemade Sweets in her name with an LLC which has since earned thousands of dollars.
“I’ve never really had a thing for baking, but when I saw their (my parents’) idea and how it can make me successful, I just had to give it a try,” Gjonaj said.
Gjonaj always loved drawing, especially when her dad joined her. Her parents wanted to foster her creativity, so they steered her towards baking. Yet, they’ve always made it clear it’s her decision whether she wishes to keep the business running, according to Gjonaj.
“I think it’s great that Antoneta is running her own business. It gives her the freedom of making money as well as the responsibility of making decisions. It builds character. She is way ahead of the game when compared to her peers,” Gjonaj’s mother Marina Gjonaj said.
Gjonaj takes orders through social media or in person. She currently runs her business in her house and bakes in her kitchen.
“It’s taken me five years to get what I’m at now, and I’m still not at a perfect place, but it just takes time and it takes patience,” Gjonaj said.
Reaching audiences is the hardest challenge Gjonaj encounters. Currently, her instagram @netas_homemade_sweets includes 868 followers, but only 40 people typically like her posts, according to Gjonaj.
To combat this issue, she constantly posts on Instagram and hands out business cards. Recently, she started giving away samples as well. The support her customers give her makes it all worth it, according to Gjonaj.
“My favorite part is definitely the feedback. When I sell my things and or post it on Instagram, they (customers) give me good feedback. It makes me feel really good,” Gjonaj said.
Looking towards the future, Gjonaj plans to buy or rent her own bakery. Whenever she receives payment for an order half goes towards her supplies and the other half towards saving for a building. Preferably, she’d love to open one in downtown Rochester.
“I’m hoping when I reach my senior year, I’ll have enough money. And then from that, that’s what I want to base my career on and continue being an entrepreneur,” Gjonaj said.
In preparation she’s taken small business and marketing and her senior year she plans to take business math.
“It (being an entrepreneur) seems easier said than done,” Gjonaj said. “But, you just have to never give up.”
