EIU Student Entrepreneurs Showcase Handmade Jewelry and More at Small Business Fest

Annual event highlights local young entrepreneurs and their creative ventures.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 11:12pm

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A colorful, minimalist 3D illustration depicting a variety of handmade goods like jewelry, pottery, and artwork arranged on floating shelves, representing the diverse products and creative energy of student-run small businesses.Student entrepreneurs at Eastern Illinois University showcase their handmade creations and small business ventures at the annual Small Business Fest in Charleston.Charleston Today

Emily Larsen, an Eastern Illinois University accounting student, started a handmade jewelry business during the COVID-19 pandemic while still in high school. Larsen will be one of the student entrepreneurs featured at the upcoming Small Business Fest in Charleston, showcasing her clay sculpting and jewelry designs alongside other EIU students who have launched their own small businesses.

Why it matters

The Small Business Fest provides a platform for young entrepreneurs in the Charleston area to display their products and services, gain exposure, and connect with potential customers and investors. It highlights the entrepreneurial spirit and innovative ideas emerging from the local college community.

The details

Larsen began clay sculpting as a hobby during the pandemic and then turned it into a jewelry-making business that she has continued to grow while studying accounting at EIU. She will be joined by other EIU student entrepreneurs at the Small Business Fest, where they will have the opportunity to sell their handmade goods, artwork, and other creations directly to the public.

  • The Small Business Fest is scheduled for April 12, 2026 in Charleston.
  • Larsen started her jewelry business while still in high school during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The players

Emily Larsen

An Eastern Illinois University accounting student who started a handmade jewelry business during the COVID-19 pandemic while in high school.

Eastern Illinois University

The public university where Larsen and other student entrepreneurs are currently enrolled and running their small businesses.

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What they’re saying

“The Small Business Fest is a great way for us student entrepreneurs to showcase our products and connect with the local community.”

— Emily Larsen, EIU Student and Jewelry Business Owner

What’s next

The Small Business Fest will take place on April 12, 2026 in Charleston, providing an opportunity for the student entrepreneurs to sell their handmade goods and creations directly to the public.

The takeaway

The Small Business Fest highlights the entrepreneurial spirit and innovative ideas emerging from the local college community, showcasing how students are turning their hobbies and passions into successful small businesses.