Small Businesses, Big Dreams
How Wylie High Students Turned the Bulldog Christmas Market Into a Celebration of Creativity, Community & Courage
On a chilly December evening, the Wylie High School cafeteria transformed into something that felt a little bit like Santa’s workshop and a little bit like a bustling Saturday morning farmers market—except everything was imagined, designed, built, printed, baked, welded, or handcrafted by Wylie students.
This year’s Bulldog Christmas Market, hosted by the Purple Dog Company, wasn’t just an event. It was a showcase of ideas. A celebration of courage. A testament to what happens when teenagers are given space to dream—and then the tools to make those dreams real.
And from the moment the doors opened, you could feel the excitement humming in the air. Students straightened tablecloths, practiced their “welcome!” smiles, and whispered hopeful things like “I really hope we sell out” and “Do you think people will like this?”
Spoiler alert: yes. Yes, they did.
The Scent of Success
Landry LaFrance stood proudly behind a display of beard oils—scents like “Tobacco Vanilla,” “Bourbon Sandalwood,” and “Orange Spice.” Each one bottled with care, labeled cleanly, and smelling like something you’d expect on a boutique shelf downtown.
“My dad started this a few years ago,” Landry explained, “and he handed it off to me. So when I heard about the Christmas Market, I knew I had to bring it here.”
She spoke with the seriousness of a seasoned entrepreneur—except every now and then a grin would slip out.
Selling her first products? “Stressful, but fun,” she admitted.
Then she added something that showed just how big this moment was for her:
“It's exciting, like—yes, people want something I made.”
That’s the magic of entrepreneurship. It’s not just a sale. It’s validation.
Riding the Waves of a Business Dream
A few tables down, senior Jimmy Stearns was surrounded by hats, shirts, and a business name that would make any lake lover smile: Throw the Rope.
“I started this when I was a freshman,” Jimmy said. “It was just a school project back then.”
Now? It’s a full-on brand, sold at wakesurf competitions across Texas.
The best part for him?
“When I’m out in public and see someone wearing it…it makes my day.”
Jimmy’s advice for younger Bulldogs thinking about starting something?
“If you have an idea, just go for it. No one’s going to look down on you for trying.”
Somewhere in the crowd, a future freshman probably needed to hear that.
Puppy Patients & Charm Makers
Future Health Professionals students leaned into what they know best: caring for others—except this time, the “patients” were fluffy puppies made of soft material, ready to be adopted, decorated, and loved.
Kids flocked to the booth, using charms and ribbons to create their own custom “pet.”
“It’s basically like Build-A-Bear,” one student explained with a laugh, “but with tiny puppies.”
Their goal wasn’t personal profit—it was fundraising for their club and building real customer-service skills.
And judging by the line stretching past their table, business was good.
The World on a Table: Culture Club’s Tasty Mission
Nearby, members of the Culture Club displayed delicate Filipino coconut cakes—bibingka—alongside vibrant hand-woven goods that help support families in Nicaragua and Guatemala.
“This is called the Plusera Project,” Meer explained. “We sell these items to support impoverished families in South America.”
A Christmas market with global impact.
Art You Can Hold: Welding Flowers & Metal Snowmen
Junior Katie Cloud stood behind a display of metalwork so beautiful it made people stop mid-stride—flowers made of washers, stems of steel rod, and welded snowmen.
Each one took her nearly a full class period to make.
The craftsmanship was stunning, but even more impressive was Katie’s quiet pride.
These weren’t decorations.
They were proof of skill—and patience.
And evidence that welding can be as much art as science.
Lights, Lasers & 3D Printers
If Santa had a tech department, it would look exactly like the engineering and robotics booth.
Junior Asher Pitcock introduced visitors to laser-cut wooden ornaments, 3D-printed nativity scenes, snowmen, lanterns, and even spinning tops. Some prints took over ten hours to complete.
“I’m not gonna lie,” Asher said, “it’s a little stressful already.”
He gestured behind him where printers whirred and clicked.
“But it’s so much fun. We’ve already had people buy things.”
Even prototypes like 3D-printed shoes—affectionately nicknamed “The 3Ds”—made their debut, sparking conversation and a few “wait…you MADE those?” reactions.
Birdhouses, Pallets & Marshmallow Ammo
In the construction and turf grass management section, Caleb Gosdin showed off beautifully built birdhouses—crafted from repurposed pickets and scrap lumber from the shop.
Recycling became design.
Design became craftsmanship.
Craftsmanship became pride.
And for those wanting something less practical and more fun?
Marshmallow shooters made of PVC pipe.
“You get free ammo,” Caleb said, “but the gun costs you money.”
A future marketer right there.
Sweet Success: Culinary Arts & FCCLA
The aroma of baked goods drifted across the cafeteria—gooey butter cookies, Oreo bonbons, coffee cakes, and treat boxes perfectly packaged for holiday gifting.
Mrs. Peacock beamed as her culinary students explained recipes, offered samples, and learned the art of presentation.
“It teaches them real-world skills,” she said. “Not just baking—but selling, pricing, and talking to people.”
FCCLA joined in with honey products from Sadie Grace Bee Farms—a partnership born from a Wylie grad and strengthened through service. Students even suited up to help with bee care and prep work earlier this fall.
The Heart Behind the Auction
Near the entrance of the market, where holiday baskets and gift bundles lined the silent auction tables, seniors Cami Glackmeyer, Candice Vann, and Junior Ben Vail moved with calm purpose. Clipboards nearby, they weren’t just participating in the Bulldog Christmas Market—they were helping run one of its most meaningful pieces.
“The silent auction is our big project,” Cami explained, eyes bright with the kind of responsibility that makes a student stand a little taller. “We work all semester to pull this together.”
Ben, nodded. “It’s a lot of work each week building up to this moment, but seeing people bid—it’s worth it. It feels like we’re doing something that matters.”
And indeed they were.
Candice , shared that the silent auction proceeds go directly to Christian Homes & Family Services, an organization supporting local families with adoption and foster care resources.
That knowledge added a quiet weight to the festive energy around the tables.
Every cookie basket sold… every gift card bid… every handmade item claimed…
It all meant real help for real families.
“It’s important for our students to see how their skills can make an impact,” Candice said. “They’re not just running a fundraiser—they’re supporting a mission.”
A Market That Became a Memory
By the end of the night, tables were a little emptier, students stood a little taller, and the cafeteria carried that warm, electric feeling that only comes from building something meaningful together. And at the center of it all was the Purple Dog Company—the student-run business created out of Abilene Wylie High School’s Retail Management course.
The Purple Dog Company strives to encourage entrepreneurship and a business mindset through coursework at WHS, and the Bulldog Christmas Market is where that learning comes to life. Students aren’t just completing assignments—they’re designing products, testing ideas, managing sales, and creating real value for the community.
From coordinating vendor booths to managing the silent auction to helping groups polish their displays, Purple Dog didn’t just host the event. They shaped it. They guided it. They set the stage for every student entrepreneur who stood proudly behind their table.
And as families walked out into the parking lot carrying 3D-printed ornaments, welded flowers, handmade cookies, or custom-crafted gifts, the impact of Purple Dog’s work was unmistakable.
This wasn’t simply a market.
It was a memory.
A milestone for young creators discovering what they’re capable of.
To learn more about the Purple Dog Company and the student leaders behind events like this one, visit Purple Dog Company
