b"Young Merchants of Instagram How three Columbia High School Students Created their own BusinessesBY CASSANDRA RATKEVICHSocial media has vastly expanded the avenues available to young women entrepreneurs. Sites such as Instagram allow a business to advertise products easily to a new, youthful, and expansive audience. One account at a time, Maplewood and South Oranges businesswomen of Instagram are redefining the meaning of entrepreneurship. Laila Hoff '21Protect Minorities @protectminorities Laila Hoff founded Protect Minorities as a sophomore in high school to cre-ate something that spreads awareness and also gives back to those in need. Her current T-shirts share mes-sages reading, PROTECT BLACK WOMEN and PROTECT BLACK MEN. Hoff sells through Instagram @protectminorities but primarily uses her website protectminorities.com, Michaela Lynch '22 shipping her products nationwide.Molly Sandler '21 Wired JewelryAfter dropping new pieces in 2019 andMolly Crocheting @wired_jewelry 2020, Hoff took a year-long break to@mollycrocheting focus on her senior year, but plans to Michaela Lynch started Wiredrelease new items this winter and intoMolly Sandler began Molly Cro-Jewelry during December of her2022. After each release, Hoff donatescheting in late April of her senior junior year of high school to escape10-15% of the proceeds to charitiesyear after learning how to crochet her winter quarantine boredom.that support minorities and marginal- the preceding December. Instead of Lynch sells her homemade jewelryized communities. continuing to make items for herself,primarily made from wireviaSandler decided to take her love for Instagram, @wired_jewelry, andcrocheting to the business realm to the social shopping app Depop, @ sell shirts, skirts, hats, and other as-michaelalynchh. She offers freesorted decorative items. Along with shipping of her homemade rings,sales through her Instagramnecklaces, earrings, bracelets, and@mollycrocheting, Sandler sells and tote bags to anywhere in the U.S.,ships worldwide using the online but will also drop off local ordersmarketplace Etsy, under the user-at ones doorstep. Lynch conductsname @mollymakingthings. Sandler monthly new-product drops andproduces products in her spare time invites people to direct-message after she can try out a new pattern @wired_jewelry with any suggestionsto create something; And if it looks or for specific product inquiries. good then I upload it! she says."