In May 2025, inspired by a surge in social media popularity, senior LeeAna Lojek started painting brown paper banners for local events. What began as a way to gain extra cash soon became a business (PaintedbyLeeAna).
“After seeing them gain popularity, I decided to give it a try and freehand a banner for my cousin’s graduation party,” Lojek said.“It was far from perfect, but it made such an impact at the celebration that I knew I was onto something special.”
From there, she started selling one-of-a-kind banners on Facebook Marketplace to make some spending money for the summer. Lojek said people loved them, and she quickly began receiving orders consistently from locals.
Having her grandma as an oil painter, LeeAnna’s family continuously supports her passions. Her family has been an inspiration to pursue her artistic skills.
“I like to think the creative gene just flows through my blood,” Lojek said. “Looking back, my younger self would probably be ecstatic to know I’m now making money and leaving a legacy by painting colorful designs on construction paper.”
Although she credits her dad for always cutting the paper banners, she works one-on-one with each client to create a digital mockup of their design. Once approved, she single-handedly paints, packages and ships all of her orders.
“Every single banner is handmade by me from start to finish,” Lojek said.
In addition to painting, Lojek is a student athlete. She has learned to handle school, sports and running a small business all on her own. Lojek comes up with her own ways to stay organized, especially during her time on the varsity volleyball team.
“My holy grail is a detailed spreadsheet I created with countdowns for each order, so I always know exactly how much time I have to complete them,” Lojek said. “Typically, I set aside at least one night each week as a “work night” where I focus on painting, then add finishing touches throughout the week.”
Her best-sellers are her hand-painted paper banners, which come in various sizes. She also designs digital graphics, like game posts and college commitment announcements.
Her banner varies between 60 to 80 dollars, depending on the design’s difficulty and size. For graphics and other painted pieces, pricing differs. Lojek uses her social media accounts to gain traction and new buyers. She’s reached people nationwide, selling to customers in states like Ohio, Illinois and Washington.
“Funny enough, I actually started by advertising through my dad’s Facebook account, which is how I acquired most of my local customers,” Lojek said. “A lot of them have picked up directly from my house, and many are now even repeat customers.
Through running and shaping her small business, LeeAna says she has learned many lessons, including the importance of taking risks, trusting her skills and time management. She says it has all been worth it to be able to make someone’s event a little more special and memorable. In the future, Lojek’s biggest goal is to be able to give back to her community as well as continue to grow and improve as an artist and business owner.
“I’m currently looking into donating banners to children’s wings in hospitals to add a little color to their days,” Lojek said. “My ultimate goal is to keep growing, experimenting with new designs, and continuing to spread joy through my work.”
As a beginner herself, Lojek offers advice for students and young people looking to start their own business in the near future. She said she believes that her business has given her the freedom to make her own hours, earn extra money and do something she genuinely loves.
“My biggest advice is just go for it,” Lojek said. “You’ll never feel 100 percent ready, but taking that leap is so worth it. It’s taught me so many valuable skills, including communication with real individuals, budgeting, managing inventory and of course, time management. If you’re on the fence, trust me, you won’t regret starting.”
You can check her out on Instagram at @PaintedbyLeeana.
