Canberra’s littlest entrepreneurs take over Turner for one big market day
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Over 35 kid-run stalls are taking over Turner this September in what might just be Canberra’s most wholesome springtime market.
Founded by local mum Sonja Kama, the Kids Made Marketplace Canberra will bring the city’s youngest entrepreneurs together on Sunday 13 September to showcase their own businesses on one big market day.
The market is designed to be purely kid-driven, selling everything from crocheted items to handmade jewellery, toys, art, plants, cosmetics and baked goods.
Sonja says the idea came to her when her seven-year-old daughter told her about her own entrepreneurial aspirations, wanting a way to make and sell things to earn money to go horse riding lessons in the school holidays.
“She loves making and baking and is always asking if she can sell things outside our house to passersby. That thought made us think of other ideas and ways to help her achieve her goal,” Sonja explains.
“We thought of getting a group of like-minded friends together at our local church hall, to run a marketplace where kids could get experience making and selling things to actual customers, in a more coordinated, fun and safe way.”
Instead of children setting up solitary lemonade stands or craft tables on their driveways and hoping someone walks past, the concept of Kids Made Marketplace Canberra is to bring the little businesses all together in one place.
After reaching out to friends and connecting with other parents on social media, Sonja says the market now has 40 registered stalls.
Some stallholders are saving for things like pets, holidays, and art supplies, while others hope to donate some of their earnings to charities, build their savings, or reinvest in ideas they have already started. Sonja says what truly makes the market unique is the strong support from families.
“The parents will be right by and behind the kids, allowing them the chance to price and sell to customers themselves under the watchful eyes of a mum or dad,” she explains.
“Shoppers purchase $1 tickets from an adult-run desk and use those tickets at the stalls, allowing children to concentrate on selling without directly handling cash. The kids still have to do the work – choose what to sell, think about their prices, prepare their stall and talk to customers.”
For Sonja, the success of the first market will not be measured by how much the children earn. Instead, she believes it’s as simple as the kids having a good time.
“I really hope that the children who have never sold anything before can learn how possible it is for an idea they had to turn into something real and profitable with a bit of planning, support and hard work.”
“I also hope children will see how brave and confident they are for being willing to talk to strangers, sell something, or be okay with not making a sale from everyone.”
Sonja’s daughter already wants the Kids Made Marketplace Canberra to be a regular event. And while she will use the first event to see if there’s an appetite for something like it in Canberra, Sonja says that she would love to use it as a base to build something even bigger for our littlest entrepreneurs.
“I’d also love to see if there is a way we can help or provide a support network for kids to grow and develop their ideas beyond the marketplace,” she explains.
“With AI already changing what work looks like for kids after they finish school and university – in entry-level jobs in particular – I think it’s important children get exposure to and experience in ‘business’ from a young age.”
Promising a vibrant, playful afternoon where imagination runs wild, it’s a one-of-a-kind chance to support a young person having a real go at their first business in Canberra.
THE ESSENTIALS
What: Kids Made Marketplace Canberra
When: Sunday 13 September, 3 pm – 5 pm
Where: The Hall, Canberra National Seventh-day Adventist Church, Corner Macleay and Gould Streets, Turner
Tickets + more information: eventbrite.com.au
Feature image: Mia from Mia’s Creations.
