Kids in Prince George will soon get the chance to learn about starting their own businesses thanks to a unique initiative at the Prince George Farmer’s Market.
Kids Entrepreneur Day is coming this August to the Prince George Famer’s Market. On August 27 children between the ages of five and 18 will have a chance to run their own micro business at the market.
“We are going to have a bunch of tents go up on Third Avenue as part of our outdoor market. In those tents, we will house kids who are starting a normal business. This is our way of introducing the kids to the whole idea of what it is to be a mini-business owner and the work that goes involved,” said market manager Dyanne Lybbert, who is also a mom of six.
Lybbert said she was inspired by experiences with her own kids who started doing odd jobs to earn their own money and she wanted to give an opportunity to other kids who had the same idea.
“To come down to an actual market, go through the process of an application and pay a vendor fee, even though their vendor fee is only $5,” said Lybbert.
“But you know, paying a vendor fee and working on product, creating it and learning the whole process of what it's like to be a vendor, an entrepreneur, and microbusiness owner.”
Lybbert said there are already a lot of families who sell at the market and their children will participate but she has specifically highlighted Hardman Tool, a business run by two young brothers who are blacksmiths and dress in period clothing to sell their handmade tools.
“I’ve used them as the poster kids for the whole thing because they are such a great example of what you can achieve if you want to do it.”
Lybbert said the Prince George Farmers Market has been overwhelmed with interest in the event and has tons of applications representing a wide variety of business ideas.
“There's been so much more interesting than I was expecting. Because I mean, we're just a little farmers market, right? But it's gone crazy,” said Lybbert.
“So far, we have some bakers we have some growers, we have someone who is growing peas and baked goods. My own granddaughter is working with my daughter to do some tie dye. We have keychains and crafters of all sorts.”
Lybbert said she is also asking for the parents to be minimally involved as this is an experience for the kids to do on their own. However, for younger children, especially those who are just five years old, organizers do want parents to be at the booths.
“For the older kids, we're working on creating a parents' area so they can sit and watch their kids and be close by but let the kids do their things,” added Lybbert.
The Prince George Farmers Market is also currently looking for a sponsor for the parents’ area so they can offer beverages and snacks throughout the day and possibly another sponsor to help expand the event so more kids can be accommodated.
“If anyone in the community wants to help, we would love to have you join us.”
Anyone who is interested in getting involved with Kids Entrepreneur Day can email [email protected] to get more information or an application form for the event.
