Ella Pickrel poses behind her booth at Fullerton’s annual Fall Festival in 2023.
As freshmen in high school, not many teenagers want to start a business or make the time for it.
However, after completing a mock sales pitch to her class and several teachers in an introduction to agriculture class, Ella Pickrel decided to take her idea and run with it. The business idea eventually became the business now known as Special E’s Treats.
“I’ve loved baking from a young age, and a lot of people told me I should start my own business,” she says.
Since the start of her business in June 2023, Pickrel has sold more than 5,200 sugar cookies.
Running a business takes time, especially as a busy high school student who’s involved in many different extracurriculars. In addition to running her business, the Fullerton High School junior from Nebraska is involved in choir, show choir, volleyball, basketball, track, student council, FFA and FCA. To manage her time, she makes sure she uses a planner and has her priorities in order.
Pickrel takes advantage of community events and many different holidays to help market her products. She has had a booth at Fullerton’s annual Fall Festival and advertises specially designed cookies for each holiday.
Her advice to other FFA members is to have the courage to take that first step and start their business. In the end, the effort is worth it.
“The most rewarding thing that comes with running my business is seeing the smiles on my customers’ faces after enjoying my product,” she adds.
