Whether you’re in the market for crocheted animals or glittery goo or homemade treats, there’s no telling what you might find at the first-ever Children’s Entrepreneurial Market this Saturday at the Chattanooga Green.
“We’ll have more than 60 kid vendors, and we don’t put limits on what they can sell — there will be a little bit of everything,” Amanda Mollenhour, national manager for the Children’s Entrepreneurial Market, said in a phone interview. “Some have super professional businesses, some are lemonade and craft stands, some sell slime and toys like that. We’ve even had kids bring fresh farm eggs they’re selling from chickens they take care of.”
The event is being presented in collaboration with the River City Company as part the organization’s Family Fun Day activities. During community-input sessions for the One Riverfront Plan, the Chattanooga community expressed a desire for a wider range of small-scale events. The children’s market seemed like a fitting addition, Dawn Hjelseth, River City Company’s vice president of marketing and communication, said in a phone interview.
The Children’s Entrepreneur Market aims to provide children with hands-on experience in managing packaging and marketing, being responsible for money transactions and gaining experience interacting with customers. / Contributed PhotoThe program is designed to provide “real-world” experience, so parents are highly encouraged to step back and let the children be in charge, Hjelseth said. Children are expected to create their own products, manage marketing and packaging, handle money transactions, and even craft their own “elevator pitches” — a succinct explanation of their products for customers.
Emily Mack, the president and CEO of the River City Company, expressed excitement about nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit among younger generations.