Winston Churchill High School sophomore Fotini “Nini” Klashi has turned creativity and determination into a full-fledged business, one that’s already sold more than 50,000 custom handmade pens across the country and even overseas.
Klashi, 15, launched her business, Nini’s Creationzz, two years ago, inspired by her lifelong love of crafting. The name comes from her childhood nickname, “Nini,” a moniker her friends and family have used for years and one she proudly carries into her entrepreneurial journey.
What started as a hobby has quickly grown into a thriving small business. Klashi attends around 20 events each year and sells her creations every Saturday at her mother’s workplace. Between events, local customers, and steady word-of-mouth, her custom pens have been shipped to Cyprus, New York, Texas, New Jersey, D.C., and Virginia, connecting her work to customers far beyond Montgomery County.
Klashi says her custom handmade pens remain her favorite product to create. She offers made-to-order designs and can craft themes for birthday party favors, bridal and baby showers, and other special events. Her business has been profitable over the last year, and she continues to learn the realities of entrepreneurship along the way.
“I’ve learned that not all events are the same, some are more profitable than others,” she said. “I’ve also learned that demographics play a role in what I sell.” Despite her growing success, Klashi already has her eye on the future. She plans to continue Nini’s Creationzz throughout high school and hopes to open her own storefront one day. And while business is booming, she still imagines a dream career beyond entrepreneurship…marine biology.
For now, Klashi is balancing schoolwork, a thriving small business, and a rapidly expanding customer base, one custom pen at a time. You can find her work on Instagram and TikTok: @ninis_creationzz
