Brandon's first Kidpreneur Market coming this fall

 

Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce is putting out the call for creative, motivated and business-savvy kids to take part in Brandon’s very first Kidpreneur Market. The Market will be held in conjunction with the ninth annual Brandon Expo, which is planned for Saturday, Nov. 11.

Designed for ages 5-17, Kidpreneur Market gives Brandon area youth the opportunity to show off their talent and ingenuity and possibly earn a little money, too. 

“It’s a great way for us to get the kids involved and to start teaching them a little bit about entrepreneurship and how they can run their own little business,” said Kim Cerwick, CEO/president of the BVACC. “It will also teach them about sales tax, as both city and state sales tax will have to be paid for the sales they produce that day.”

Cerwick said all sales (cash and check only) will run through the Chamber. “They’ll only have to worry about selling their items and not have to worry about making change,” she said.

Funds from sales will be paid to the kidpreneuers when they turn in their completed sales tax sheet (which will be distributed at the beginning of the event). 

Kidpreneur, which was first tested at Crazy Days in Brookings this past summer, drew 46 youngsters. The event was so successful that it inspired the Brookings Economic Development Corporation to develop a Youth Entrepreneur Program (YEP) that is now being offered two days a week to fourth and fifth graders. The Boys and Girls Club of Brookings is hosting the program that will conclude with a pop-up market in February.

The Market is open to kids with all types of business ideas, products and services. From selling lemonade, promoting a dog walking, lawn-mowing or snow removal service to selling one-of-a-kind artwork.

“I think we’re going to be surprised at the creativity that we see, anything from the expected dog walking or lawn mowing type service jobs to as far as you can imagine,” said Cerwick, whose daughter, Lily, is preparing to set up shop that day. “All of the ideas she’s come up with are not all do-able, but the creativity is definitely there and it’s been kind of fun already helping her with this.”

The Kidpreneur Market will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the auxiliary gym of Brandon Valley High School.

There is no cost to attend or participate in the market. Participants must supply their own booth materials, including tables, chairs, extension cords, bags, signage and of course, their wares, and the Chamber will provide the price tags. All sale items must be priced at $1 increments and a parent/guardian must be at the booth with the kid entrepreneur throughout the event.

“The hope is that kids and their families will be excited about giving the kids the opportunity to have their own business and see what it’s all about,” Cerwick said. “Our workforce starts with the younger generation and Kidpreneur can help teach them the ins and outs of community and to be community-minded, and hopefully, someday they will want to come back here to live, work and raise a family.”

If you know a child interested in participating, visit brandonvalleychamber.com or call the Chamber office at 582-7400 for more information.

The ninth annual Brandon Expo begins at 10 a.m. and wraps up at 3 p.m. Admission is free.