- August 4, 2026
When Jasmine Bozorgmanesh would go back-to-school shopping before another school year, she saw the same thing over and over again: notebooks that ripped easily, uncomfortable spiral bindings and designs that didn’t feel practical. Instead of settling for products she didn’t enjoy using, the Seabreeze High School student decided to create something better.
That idea became Notable, a student-focused notebook company inspired by the quality and innovation of Japanese stationery.
Bozorgmanesh, now 16, said her love for Japanese stationery began in middle school. However, she found that many Japanese notebooks were too small or didn’t meet the paper requirements needed for American classrooms.
“I loved Japanese stationery, but I still had to use American notebooks for school,” Bozorgmanesh said. “The options just weren’t what students deserved for something they use every day.”
Rather than accepting the limitations, she combined the best features of Japanese stationery brands with American standardized products to design a notebook built specifically for American students. Her notebooks feature durable covers, high-quality paper and a soft, cushioned binding that makes writing more comfortable.
“I wanted to make something that would actually last the whole school year and make studying easier,” she said.
Although she had the idea for years, Bozorgmanesh began seriously pursuing the business during her sophomore year of high school at age 15. Before producing her first notebook, she surveyed students online, conducted interviews and collected feedback to better understand what they wanted in a school notebook.
She then spent months contacting manufacturers across China, Japan and other countries until she found one willing to create the highly customized product she envisioned.
To fund production, Bozorgmanesh launched a Kickstarter campaign shortly after turning 16. The crowdfunding campaign allowed customers to preorder notebooks, providing the funding needed for the first manufacturing run.
After months of preparation, the student finally launched her business and took action.
“It was mostly relief,” she said. “It took so long to get there. I was proud to finally show people what I had created.”
Her entrepreneurial journey also inspired her to bring business education to Seabreeze High School. Recognizing there were few opportunities for students interested in entrepreneurship, she founded the school’s chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America and now serves as its president.
“I knew I wanted to build a business, and I wanted other students to have the opportunity to learn about business, too,” Bozorgmanesh said. “There really wasn’t anything like that at Seabreeze.”
Starting the organization proved to be another major undertaking. Without a business academy or career-technical education program dedicated to entrepreneurship, Bozorgmanesh worked closely with chemistry teacher Riham Picione, to establish the chapter from the ground up.
“There were so many logistics, paperwork and rules,” she said. “I spent almost every lunch working on the club instead of eating because there was always something that needed to be done.”
Bozorgmanesh later used Notable as the focus of her FBLA sales presentation competition, which brought her to state level where she placed fifth after competing against students from across Florida.
Beyond competitions, Notable has continued to grow.
Since officially launching online in December, the business has generated approximately $6,000 to $7,000 in revenue, with sales increasing as the back-to-school season begins.
One of the company’s biggest milestones came after Bozorgmanesh donated notebooks through Volusia County Schools’ teacher initiatives. The donation eventually led to a district wholesale order of approximately 150 notebooks distributed to teachers and volunteers.
She also sells her notebooks locally through the Ormond Collective, giving customers a way to purchase them without paying expensive shipping costs.
“My goal was always to make something students actually enjoy using,” she said. “The little details really matter.”
As she prepares to launch an updated website and continue expanding her business, Bozorgmanesh is proving that one student’s classroom frustration can become an opportunity to improve the everyday school experience for others.
