When you think of a typical high schooler, you likely don’t think of someone who’s been running their own business since second grade.
Fortunately for everyone lucky enough to meet her, senior Josie Wieland is no typical high schooler. She’s a drum major, Panther Press editor, sax player, founder of Haven’s Interact Club, and, of course, owner of Josie’s Fusions, her small fused glass business.
Wieland first got into fused glass at seven years old, after attending a summer camp at Windover Art Center in her home state of Maine.
“I was inspired to just check it [glassmaking] out,” Wieland said. “I just really felt connected to it.”
Since then, Wieland has been making and selling her fused glass art at local makers markets in and around Swarthmore.
“The community it’s given me has been really special,” Wieland said. “I meet so many amazing vendors that do this work alongside me.”
One of Wieland’s earliest and most vocal endorsers is Sean Bruton, owner of Lunch Break Vintage in Swarthmore, where Wieland has displayed her work since the store’s inception in 2021.
“I checked out some of the stuff that she was doing and I was super impressed with it, especially at such a young age,” Bruton said. “It was cool to have a little offshoot of jewelry and things that people might want that aren’t necessarily vintage clothing.”
In response to what he enjoys about Wieland’s work, Bruton has no shortage of compliments.
“It’s just unique. You couldn’t go into a Target and buy something like that. ” Bruton said. “And she’s added so many different things onto it — holiday stuff, magnets; it kind of appeals to a bunch of different people.”
Another lover of Wieland’s art is Terry Crossan, co-founder of Heart & Soul’d just a few stores down the road from Lunch Break Vintage.
“I met Josie at one of the markets and just started chitchatting,” Crossan said. “I don’t think we’ve stopped talking since.”
Just like Bruton, Crossan gives Wieland’s work glowing reviews — a sentiment aided by the fact that she frequently wears Wieland’s earrings.
“I just love the colors,” Crossan said. “I just love when you turn it different ways and the sun hits it, it’s just beautiful in every light.”
With such high praise, Wieland has business figured out despite being significantly younger than most of her competitors. But what really sets her apart from other sellers is her connection to her community.
“Different demographics of students will come down and be like, ‘Oh my god, Josie has stuff down here,'” Bruton said. “It’s just really cool to see.”
Wieland herself preaches the importance of reaching out to others, and offers advice to budding entrepreneurs.
“I definitely think the biggest thing I’ve learned is that it’s really important to put yourself out there,” Wieland said. “If you don’t go out of your comfort zone, you’ll definitely miss out on a lot.”
