As the holiday season approaches, Bend is gearing up for a unique community event designed to showcase the creativity, ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit of its youngest members. The Kid’s Entrepreneur Holiday Market, scheduled for Sunday, December 15 at the Elks Lodge, offers an environment where kids aged five to17 take charge of their own market booths, selling handcrafted goods and learning valuable life skills along the way.
Launched in December 2022 by Mary To-Saturnio, the idea for the market was inspired by her own children. As a homeschooling family, To-Saturnio and her husband often engaged their kids in hands-on projects, from crafting to lemonade stands. “My kids were always making things, and we wanted a way for them to explore what it’s like to run a business,” To-Saturnio shares. Seeing the entrepreneurial potential in her children and others like them, To-Saturnio decided to create a larger platform where young people could learn about entrepreneurship in a fun, real-world setting.
The event has since blossomed into a cherished local tradition, with each market attracting more participants. What began in a small room at the library with just 20 kids has now grown into a thriving event, filling spots quickly and boasting a long waitlist of eager participants. “The response has been amazing. Every event grows bigger, and the kids get more excited,” says To-Saturnio. The most recent outdoor market in August saw over 90 young entrepreneurs take to Troy Field, with tremendous community support.
At the Kid’s Entrepreneur Holiday Market, more than 50 kids will be showcasing their talents and selling a variety of handmade items such as ornaments, stationery, jewelry, artwork, comics, pottery, pet toys, baked goods and much more. “The quality of what these kids bring is incredible,” To-Saturnio remarks. Kids are responsible for managing their own booths, handling transactions and communicating with customers, all without parental assistance. It’s a, “fun environment that’s secretly full of learning,” To-Saturnio notes, as it offers kids a chance to engage in entrepreneurship at a young age.
A Market with Community Impact
The market also benefits the broader community by creating a space for local businesses to support young entrepreneurs. For instance, at the August event, three budding business owners were awarded scholarships by High Desert Makers. “It was amazing to see these kids get recognized for their hard work. The scholarships are a way to encourage them to keep going and take their ideas even further,” says To-Saturnio. The upcoming holiday market will once again provide three entrepreneurs with scholarships to help them grow their ventures.
Whether you’re attending to support these bright young minds or simply looking for unique holiday gifts, the Kid’s Entrepreneur Holiday Market promises to be an enriching and inspiring event for the whole family.
This article appears in BendNest Winter 2024.
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