Update: Monroe's Kids Vendor Day has been rescheduled to Aug. 23 due to excessive heat this week.
Ethan Collier, 12, displays his shop’s wares.
SNOHOMISH — Kids’ Vendor Day at the Snohomish Farmers Market Aug. 17 sports a new twist this year.
The sellers are hitting the books before setting up shop. Mara Williams, an author and certified financial instructor in town, has been coaching the dozen or so young Snohomish entrepreneurs using special proprietary kits.
In a June class, kids and parents learned how to develop a business plan. In July, they had a mock sale with members of the Chamber of Commerce.
From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 17, it will be business for real.
The kids will set up their own displays and keep all the money they earn – minus a fee for class materials and booth rental.
Items for sale include jewelry, artwork, knitted vegetables & fruit, herbs, pet rocks, sensory balls, bookmarks, cards, and paintings.
Twelve-year-old Ethan Collier will be selling knitted fruit stuffed toys, fruit pins and magnets.
“I’ve learned so much from (the class),” Collier said, “such as how to price my items, how to display and promote my items, as well as networking,” he said.
Ethan’s mother Anna Marie, who owns a shop on First Street, said the networking piece builds confidence and enhances personality. “Most especially, it motivates them to dream and set a goal in life,” she said.
This is the eighth year the farmers’ market has held a kids’ vendor day, but the first year it has partnered with the Snohomish Chamber of Commerce and Williams’ Little Books of Big Business.
About 20 young vendors are expected to participate.
“This was a fun way to encourage kids to engage in their community, sell their talents and engage with their farmers market along with learning important skills to create a business,“ said market director Sarah Dylan Jensen.
The kids will sell their goods outdoors on the lawn of the Carnegie.
Nancy Keith, Snohomish Chamber director, said feedback from kids and parents on the new “Kidpreneuer” twist has been so positive that “we look forward to discussions with our partners about expanding these programs. These young entrepreneurs are truly inspirational.”
