One student’s creative side hustle turned into a growing campus business.
Starting a small business in college isn’t easy, but for Texas State University student and fellow Her Campus member Kenya Pineda, it’s become a creative outlet that continues to grow. As the owner of The Freshie Spot, Pineda has turned handmade air fresheners—commonly known as “freshies”—into a recognizable student-run business through campus events, custom orders, and steady improvement over time.
Originally from East Texas, Pineda says she was inspired by the popularity of freshie businesses in her hometown. What started as a simple idea in August 2024 quickly evolved into something much bigger after she began researching how to make the products herself.
“I got the idea for The Freshie Spot in August of 2024 after being inspired by so many other freshie vendors from my hometown area,” Pineda says. “I was originally just going to wholesale freshies from one of my close high school friends who has her own freshie business and resell them, but I started doing research into how exactly freshies are made and started planning from there.”
By November 2024, Pineda was ready to take her business to the public for the first time at Texas State’s market day event.
“By the time November of 2024 rolled around, I was pretty much set to do my first event at TXST Market Days, and I did decently to say the least,” she says.
While she admits her early work wasn’t perfect, that first event marked a turning point. By 2025, with time and practice, her designs had improved significantly, leading to greater confidence in her work and more opportunities to sell.
Since then, Pineda has continued growing The Freshie Spot through campus events and custom orders, with noticeable progress in the quality and creativity of her products
Balancing School and Business
Like many student entrepreneurs, Pineda says managing her business alongside school responsibilities can be challenging, especially with additional commitments.
“I would say yes,” Pineda says when asked if running a business interferes with school. “I also have an internship based in Austin this semester, which is why I’m busier.”
Even with a packed schedule, she still makes time for customers when she can.
“I’m currently not taking orders because I have TXST Market Days coming up, so I’m just making freshies for that. But if someone texts me and wants a simple freshie, I’ll do it!” she says.
Her flexibility and dedication show in moments like completing a custom photo freshie order the same day it was requested, something that keeps customers coming back.
From an idea inspired by her hometown to a growing presence on campus, Pineda’s journey with The Freshie Spot shows how consistency and creativity can turn a side hustle into something bigger.
Women-Owned and Operated
As the sole owner and creator behind The Freshie Spot, Pineda takes pride in running every aspect of the business on her own. For her, being a woman-owned business represents more than just ownership—it reflects independence and determination.
“It means so much to me! I feel like it shows independence, strength, and the courage to build something you can call your own.” Pineda says.
That mindset is reflected in how she approaches her work, from designing each freshie to managing orders and showing up at events. By building her brand independently while still in college, Pineda is not only creating products but also establishing herself as a young entrepreneur.
Her experience highlights how student-run, women-owned businesses can carve out their own space and continue to grow through dedication and self-motivation.
From an idea inspired by her hometown to a growing presence on campus, Pineda’s journey with The Freshie Spot shows how consistency and creativity can turn a side hustle into something bigger.
Check out The Freshie Spot!