Young entrepreneurs showcased their creativity and innovation at the Youth Entrepreneur Fair, held Saturday, June 13th, at St. Luke’s United Church. Forty youth, ages 8 to 14, representing more than 30 businesses, developed ideas and prepared inventory for the event.
Hosted by the St. Margaret’s Bay community Enterprise Centre (SMBCEC), the Youth Entrepreneur Fair gave young people
firsthand experience in entrepreneurship through the opportunity to develop, market, and sell their own products. The event helped
participants build practical skills in financial literacy, communication, and problem-solving, while also encouraging confidence and independence.
Suzanne Pelham, a community member and volunteer with the SMBCEC commented, “I stopped by the kids’ entrepreneur fair. The young vendors offered a great array of different products. They had clearly planned their sales items; they provided a great
example of entrepreneurial spirit.”
Vendors proudly displayed their items, which varied from handmade crafts and baked goods to original artwork, greeting cards, fishing lures, and other small-scale innovations. Attendees had the opportunity to browse, purchase, and engage directly with the creators behind each idea.
For many vendors, the fair represented the culmination of weeks of preparation, from brainstorming ideas to producing inventory and setting prices. Katherine Knisley, age 12, from Books and Cooks, had this to say about her participation in the fair: “I was in the fair last year and loved it. I loved this year even more!”
Organizers noted that the fair continues to grow in popularity, reflecting a broader interest in entrepreneurship among young people.
By creating space for youth to showcase their ideas, the event helps inspire future business leaders and contributes to a culture of
innovation in the community.
A Christmas-themed market is in the works for November. Email youthprogram@smbcec.org for more information or to be added to the vendor list.