Side Hustle Fairs have been taking place inside Farinon, where students can table with their goods and mingle with potential student customers.

Photographs By Adam Atkinson; (Dancers) Ari Ismail; (Sacotingo) Kevin Dodard; Dyer Center

Student side hustles

Turning personal talents into small businesses.

After noticing many students on campus who had small businesses and passion projects—custom beaded bracelets, printed stickers, and self-published literature, to name a few—Jahi Heath ’25 and Dina Azar ’25 co-founded the Side Hustle Community in 2023. Since then, and in collaboration with the Dyer Center, this network of about 35 students has been growing its success through various fairs, business workshops, and group brainstorming sessions.

While Heath, an engineering studies major, started a clothing line, Azar is a self-taught nail technician. “I can tap into my artistic side at Lafayette while majoring in something else,” says Azar, who is studying international affairs. “It feels like a creative outlet.” Contact dyercenter@lafayette.edu to learn more.

Ari Ismail ’26 offers freelance photography and videography, from graduation portraits and LinkedIn headshots to campus events like the Latin American Dance Showcase at Colton Chapel (pictured).
Chris Nappo ’27, a double major in engineering studies and studio art, has been creating functional ceramics (mugs, bowls) for more than five years.
Lately, Nappo’s favorite pots to make are chawans and yunomis, or tea bowls and teacups: “I’m drawn to the elegant forms and organic surfaces of East Asian teaware.”
As for Azar’s salon services, she sticks to manicures; Gel-X sets are popular among her college customers.
Azar started doing nails as a sophomore and usually books one appointment every day, with maybe more on the weekends. “I’ve learned I get to control my profits,” she says.
Black Rose Haven clothing line by Jahi Heath, found at the College Store, was designed to showcase the artistic work of Black artists.
Being a first-generation student, Virginia Sacotingo ’25 designed a notebook, called the College Girl Planner, and kept the guidelines simple: no more than five tasks a day. Says Sacotingo, “It’s all about living an intentional lifestyle.”
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