Student-run businesses are booming at our school, but the surge of new sellers is creating unexpected challenges for both students and the cafeteria.

While student entrepreneurship offers valuable lessons and a chance to earn extra money, the crowded marketplace of sellers, ranging from cookies to cupcakes, has led to increased competition. This over saturation is negatively affecting the sellers, who struggle to stand out, and the cafeteria, which faces decreased sales during lunch and break times.

 “I had to lower my prices to compete, but even that doesn’t guarantee sales anymore,” Isabella Ramirez, senior, said.

At first, student sales added variety to what the cafeteria could offer, but now it’s starting to feel like there’s too much competition. Too many students are selling the same types of products, making it harder for each individual to stand out, while seemingly affecting the cafeteria’s ability to generate sales. It’s time to consider whether we’ve reached a tipping point where competition is hurting more than it’s helping.

“There are popular sellers and kids that do better than others, yet some are being affected by so many people selling the same things,” Ella Wilson, senior, said. 

Isabella Ramirez, who sells homemade cookies, shared how increased competition has impacted her business. Once popular, she now struggles to attract customers as more students sell similar products. To stay competitive, she’s had to lower prices. Her experience reflects the broader issue that the more students that join the market, the harder it becomes to stand out, with fewer profits to show for their efforts.

 “Yeah, there are quite a few students who also sell baked goods or similar snacks. It’s become pretty popular in school, which makes it a bit harder to stand out,” Ramirez said.

The school cafeteria is also feeling the impact of the rise in student-run businesses. Many students now buy snacks from their peers instead of the cafeteria, affecting its revenue. This decline raises concerns about the potential consequences of higher meal prices, reduced menu options, or staffing cuts. Since the cafeteria provides affordable meals, its struggles could affect the wider school community.

“We’re seeing fewer students come to buy snacks here. If this keeps going, we might have to raise prices, and that would hurt everyone,” Sandra Lopez, a TCS Cafeteria Employee, said. 

The cafeteria is also confused about school regulations and faces challenges as students sell items they cannot, like gum and soda, leading to complaints from parents who wrongly blame the cafeteria. Students also ask staff for items like jam or change, causing tension when denied. This issue, unique to the school, has become a disciplinary concern as prohibited items are being sold by students, disrupting the work environment for staff.

“Other schools don’t have such problems as this school with student sales. Products that are prohibited by the school can be sold by students, a disciplinary problem,” Lopez said.

The cafeteria insists that changes should be made to the school’s policy to address the growing issues caused by student sales. Many students are unaware of how their sales are impacting the cafeteria. While changes to regulate student sales could help, student sellers fear it will affect their businesses, making it difficult to find a solution that works for everyone.

 “I don’t know if stricter rules are the answer. I believe competition can be a good thing because it pushes you to improve, and I believe that this could negatively impact student sellers,” Ramirez said. 

Sales for charitable causes can be beneficial, and the cafeteria supports initiatives that benefit things like La Guajira. However, when students sell items for personal profit, it poses challenges for the cafeteria, especially in an environment lacking oversight. Without any control from the school, these student-run businesses can undermine cafeteria sales and disrupt the balance of student entrepreneurship and institutional support. 

“When it’s for the foundation or La Guajira the cafeteria does support it, yet when it is student sales for personal benefits are not beneficial for the cafeteria, especially when the school doesn’t give good control to student sales,” Lopez said.