CHEK Upside: Middle school student creating pride pins for Pride Month

CHEK

For middle school student Emiko Horie, finding her student entrepreneurship class idea was fairly simple thanks to her friends.

“They vetoed my other ideas, but they seemed interested in this one,” says Horie.

Horie decided to create pride pins to sell at her school’s entrepreneurship fair and they proved to be a huge success.

“I almost sold out, I believe there were three pins left,” says Horie.

“I’ve seen a couple of people wear them around school and every time I see them it just makes me happy.”

Each pin is handcrafted by Horie and her friends, with her mom Rosanna Hanser lending a helping hand when she can.

“Basically we have this sticky back material that we iron onto some rainbow ribbon and then my mom cuts it down to size,” says Horie.

“I peel the back off, then it’s ironed again and then I hot glue the pin back on it.”

It’s been an exciting journey for both mother and daughter.

“I thought it was a great idea, it was inspired, it’s something that’s very close to her heart, rainbows [and] pride,” says Hanser.

“So, I thought this was a great synthesis of the two.”

The project was also a great chance for Horie to practice valuable business skills.

“I think it was a great experience, this whole thing was a great opportunity and I’m really happy I got the opportunity,” says Horie.

After the initial success, Horie will sell her pins outside of school for the first time at Saanich’s Pride in the Park event.

“Emiko is really excited to have her product out there and to be celebrating Pride Month in the community this way,” says Hanser.

Pride in the Park runs Thursday, June 16, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Beckwith Park.

[email protected]

Cole SorensonCole Sorenson

Recent Stories

Send us your news tips and videos!