Grant is a senior at Westfield High School and will be graduating in less than a month. He’s smart, driven, and already running his own wellness business. That’s right—this high school student is also a business owner!
For his senior portrait session, we met at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. It’s one of my favorite spots for senior pictures. The area has beautiful architecture, lots of natural light, and great backdrops for portraits.
We started with Grant in a sharp business suit. He looked confident and professional—perfect for someone heading to Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business this fall. The suit really showed off his serious side and future goals.
After that, Grant changed into a more casual outfit: a light blue button-down shirt and khaki pants. He looked relaxed and happy, and we got some great shots that showed his personality.
It was such a fun session, and I loved capturing both sides of who Grant is—an entrepreneur with big plans and a senior enjoying his final days of high school.
After the session, I sent Grant some questions so we could learn a bit more about his wellness business, Atherials.
1. Tell me a little about yourself and what inspired you to start a skincare business.
I’m a very health-focused person. What inspired me to start Atherials was seeing how many skincare products on the market were filled with parabens, fragrances, and other additives that actually made skin problems worse—especially acne. Not only that, they were overpriced. I wanted to create something natural, effective, and affordable that goes beyond skincare to support whole-body wellness.
2. Was there a specific moment that sparked the idea, or did it evolve over time?
The moment came when I kept breaking out, and nothing was helping. My mom would buy all these dermatologist-recommended products, and most of them made it worse. I eventually shifted my focus to my diet, cutting out sugar, and started supplementing with vitamins and electrolytes. That’s when I saw real improvements—not just in my skin, but in my overall health. It opened my eyes to how internal health affects external results.
3. How did you get started—from concept to your first product?
I actually started with a dropshipping store called Gifts for Parents, but it felt unfulfilling. I realized I didn’t want to sell cheap, low-value products—I wanted to sell something that reflects my lifestyle. That’s when I shifted toward health and skincare. I now source my products from a high-quality manufacturer in Colorado and sell both online and in person.
4. Do you create the formulas yourself? If so, how did you learn?
No, I don’t make the formulas myself, but I work closely with my manufacturer to ensure they’re aligned with my values: clean, effective, and research-backed. I got a really great deal and strong partnership that lets me scale while maintaining quality.
5. What makes your skincare products stand out from others?
Atherials isn’t just skincare—it’s a wellness brand. We focus on the root causes of skin issues, which often stem from what’s going on inside the body. Our products are all-natural and filled with ingredients that actually nourish your skin. For example, we use beef tallow, which some dermatologists say is comedogenic—but it’s actually a 2 out of 5 on the scale and rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K. Everything we offer is backed by real research, not hype.
6. How do you juggle running a business with school and everything else?
I structure my week carefully. I keep track of my goals in my notes app—what I want to do, why I’m doing it, and when I’ll do it. For my business, I dedicate Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays to working from my computer. I also focus hard during school so I don’t bring homework home. That helps me balance everything, especially since I also make time for physical recovery and injury prevention.
7. What kind of support have you received from friends, family, or teachers?
My family and friends have been really supportive—especially my mom. She even offered to promote my products to her friends on Facebook. It’s been cool seeing people around me get excited about something I built.
8. How do you promote your products, and what’s worked best so far?
I promote both online and in person. Selling at farmers markets and events like the Sip and Shop at Peace Water Winery has worked great for making personal connections. Online, I’ve been focusing more on TikTok Shops and building up my web presence through Atherials.com.
10. Where do you see your business in a few years?
I want to scale and experience economies of scale—meaning I can offer higher-quality products while lowering my costs. Eventually, I plan to open my own facility and make the products myself instead of relying on a manufacturer. I see Atherials becoming a full-scale wellness company.
11. Do you plan to keep growing it through college?
Definitely. I’m attending the Kelley School of Business, and I plan to use what I’m learning in real time to grow Atherials. It’s something I’m passionate about, so it doesn’t feel like just “work.”
12. What advice would you give other teens who want to start their own business?
Just get started. That was the hardest part for me. I overthought everything at first, and it delayed me more than it helped. Being hands-on teaches you more than planning ever will. Don’t wait for the perfect time—it doesn’t exist.
Good luck at IU, Grant! I know you’re going to do great things.
Book your senior portrait session today!
Are you ready to schedule your senior portrait session in Central Indiana? Contact L. Severson Photography to book your session today. Call the studio at 317-867-3723. Or hit the button below for our contact form. Let’s create stunning portraits that you will treasure forever!
Leave a Reply