Anyone who operated a lemonade stand as a kid would’ve loved to have an opportunity like this.
Young entrepreneurs aged 16 and under will spend a day trying their hands at operating retail booths in Squamish’s Refresh Kids Market next month.
“I really want to meet some people and make a name for my business, get some exposure” said Marisa van der Horst, a young vendor who’ll be selling bath bombs at the event.
“My products are all-natural and made by a 13-year-old,” said van der Horst with a chuckle.
“I think that’s pretty cool.”
The first-time event is being put together by co-founders Shannon Lorenz and Rachel Boguski, who also run the annual Refresh Market, the largest indie market in B.C., every spring.
“It only seems natural to open it up to kids,” said Lorenz. “And both being entrepreneurs, we want to support entrepreneurs in our communities – we’re both moms, too.”
So far, half a dozen children, dubbed “mini makers,” have shown interest in participating.
In addition to the young entrepreneurs, Refresh Kids will feature grown-up retailers who will be selling children’s products, such as toys and kids’ clothing, much of which will be handmade by the vendors themselves.
The kids who’ve applied to set up shop have a variety of talents.
Included among them is a lemonade stand operator, a baker, a balloon vendor and an owl-themed apparel maker who makes masks and tooth fairy cushions.
There’s also a seasoned young entrepreneur who has given a talk at a TEDx event. TEDx conferences are the independently organized offshoots of the very popular TED talks, which are lectures featuring leading experts from a variety of different disciplines.
Noah Diguangco, who started his business at the age of seven, made his name recycling crayons and selling them online and at various craft stores and public markets.
The organizers hope that manning businesses will give kids a sense of confidence.
“We’re able to involve young budding entrepreneurs and give them this grown-up market experience,” Boguski said.
The kids will get the experience of selling products they’ve made, handling cash transactions and setting up shops.
“These kids are smart,” said Boguski. “They know what other kids want.”
Parents will be on standby to help out, but some of the older vendors may brave the business world by themselves.
The kids will be receiving a discounted price at the Refresh Kids Market, operating their tables at $25 each, which is the at-cost price.
“There’s a certain amount of love that is in handmade products,” said Lorenz. “A lot of these makers are moms as well. They will definitely speak directly to the shopper. They know your needs and they know how to satisfy them.”
There will also be performances from young musicians at the market and Vancouver craft store Collage will be hosting craft workshops as well.
Refresh Kids Market will be happening on March 4 at West Coast Railway Heritage Park, starting 10 a.m. Kids can apply to set up shop at the event at refreshkids.ca/mini-spaces.
