DOWNEY — A young creative entrepreneur and business owner on her journey within Downey Unified, upcoming Warren High School 12th grader, Kassandra Saldana, shows one of her many talents through her baking skills.

Although she is only 16 years old, Saldana has started her own baking business, Baked Sweets by Kas, which continues to grow through her various efforts that include promotions on social media, local pop-up events and advertisements through Warren High School’s yearbook.

Saldana shares, “The businesswomen in my family inspired me to start a small business; my mom and my grandma, who are both business owners, encouraged me to begin my journey in the business world and I can’t thank them enough.” She also credits her mother and grandmother for the support and knowledgebase of being able to market her business due to them having a collective 50 years of experience owning their own successful businesses.

Along with the help of her family, Warren High School has supported Saldana’s ventures by facilitating access to digital platforms that she might not otherwise have access. These include programs such as Canva and Lightroom, the same platforms that she, and many other entrepreneurs utilize, which have truly helped her business flourish since she started.

Although the school provided Saldana access to these platforms, it was up to her to learn the skills she knows today in order to create posters, digital business cards and other important marketing tools.

Saldana is a young, innovative business owner as well as a member of the Warren Bears Dance Team. Her time management skills have improved due to the additional responsibilities beyond the Dance Team. These include academics, sports medicine club, and of course, owning a small business... Not to mention the juggling that came into play when online schooling became a reality due to the pandemic and managing the many homework assignments and meetings.

Warren High School is always looking to support its Bears, even helping Saldana and her fellow Bears promote their small businesses through various avenues. As a Dance Team Member, the team advisors/captains have provided her with the opportunity to be a vendor at Warren High’s dance events. The support doesn’t stop with Warren High School either.

Across the district, Downey High School holds its annual spring flea event that showcases the work of DUSD’s student entrepreneurs. You can find Saldana at this event and many other events across the district where she promotes her business.

In addition to school support, many students have supported Saldana, showing how even classmates are willing to purchase from her business for their birthdays, quinceañeras, graduation parties, holidays and any event where some sweets may be needed.

When asked if she had any tips /or tricks to give to her peers or any upcoming entrepreneurs, Saldana shared, “One crucial tip I would give any small business owner is to never give up. There may be days or even months when no order is received, but the important thing is the determination and dedication you put into your business and the growth that you can accomplish through that.”

Along with utilizing the resources that her school provides; she was able to build confidence within herself with the support of her friends and family.

The way that Saldana has created her small business through her commitment and determination is a true testament and should be an example to any high school student who is interested in starting and growing their own business.

Kassandra Saldana is just one of many students enrolled in Downey Unified who have the drive, commitment, and confidence to start their own business. Never giving up is an essential piece of advice that every fellow business owner and entrepreneur should abide by, regardless of how challenging things may become, how difficult maintaining your commitment to your enterprise may be, or even how old you are.