Eowyn Van Der Molen entertains a customer at her crocheted creations booth at Saturday’s Kids Market.
Excitement and nerves intertwined as young entrepreneurs marketed services and pitched products at a first-of-its-kind Young Steward Guild Kids’ Market inside the Sully Community Church gym on Saturday, Apr. 12. Organizers estimate between 250-300 community members and potential clients browsed, bought, and benefitted from the services and products showcased by 35 of the 41 young vendor participants at the inaugural market.
“Saturday was such a fun day! I’m not sure I saw anyone, customer or vendor, without a smile on their face!” said Maggie Laverman. “What a humbling and touching turnout from our community. We are so grateful.”
The quality of products created by the entrepreneurs was top notch as were the custom-designed booths and signage. The market featured the work of 35 children ages five to 17. Inside the gym, 29 vendors set up shop while six children served in the food and drink area. A wide range of products were for sale including handmade gifts and crafts, jewelry, custom 3D printed items, seed packs, hand-forged knives, leatherworking, and much more. Services offered ranged from babysitting to vehicle vacuuming to even baby hugs for only 25 cents, offered by one of the youngest participants.
“We are so proud of the work each vendor put into their tables and the Christian integrity that was displayed for the entire duration of the event,” said Maggie.
Nervous anticipation blanketed the air during morning set up, but those nerves quickly shifted to a focus on sales and customer interaction once the doors opened at 9 a.m. for the three-hour market. “As they started to make sales and become more familiar with answering impromptu questions and taking money and making change, we could feel the vibe in the room transform from apprehension into confidence, and finally excitement,” said Maggie who along with her husband, Matthew, brainstormed the idea for the Kids’ Market. “By the end of the market, Matthew and I were being swarmed by children with brightly smiling faces and stories from their experiences selling the products of their hard work. A few of the children even expressed ideas they had for how to improve their microbusiness for next time.”
The outpouring of support for and the success of the inaugural event has organizers and participants excited for the future. “Thank you from all of us, Sully-area community, for being an answer to prayer for these young entrepreneurs!” said Maggie. She notes the engineering brain of her husband, Matthew, is already formulating a new booth layout to ensure better flow of customers and equal booth exposure for the next Kids’ Market. “We have butchers and bakers, but no candlestick makers, so if you are 5-17 and have a dream to own a microbusiness, please get in contact with us,” said Maggie. Young entrepreneurs or parents of children interested in learning more are encouraged to contact the Lavermans via email at [email protected]. Maggie notes this event is an ongoing endeavor, and new young vendors are always welcome. Currently, the model includes a monthly class that meets on a Thursday evening followed by the monthly Kids’ Market to showcase goods and services. The second Kids’ Market is scheduled for Saturday, June 14, 9 a.m. to noon. As the growing season progresses, many children plan to add homegrown produce to their booths and add to the variety of items available to potential customers.
Betsy Vander Wilt waits patiently for cotton candy from Ezekiel Moody, 9, of New Sharon.
Kristen Howe purchases soap from Erich Laverman, the creative entrepreneur of Erich's Secret Soaps. Customers were encouraged to bring small bills for transactions with the young vendors.
