Young Entrepreneur Market

Bloomington-Normal

Saturday, April 13, 2024

1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Corpus Christi Catholic School

1909 E. Lincoln Street

Bloomington, IL 61704

5-17 Years of Age

$25 Registration Fee

Limited Booths Available

2ND ANNUAL YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR MARKET

Providing children ages 5 to 17 years old an opportunity to embark on an exciting journey of creativity, learning, and empowerment in the world of entrepreneurship. This year we have added online workshops and a business pitch competition for participating young entrepreneurs to learn and compete for a grand prize of $250.

1. Informational Meeting & Online Workshop (Optional)

2. Business Pitch Competition (Optional)

3. Participate in the Young Entrepreneur Market

informational meeting

Online Young Entrepreneur Market informational meeting and Q&A

January 23, 2024

6:30-7:00 p.m.

Join Meeting

online workshop

young entrepreneur online workshop (sessions are 30 min. in length)

Young Entrepreneurs will learn about pricing, packaging, finance, branding/marketing, customer service, and receive expert advice from business owners. These sessions will be informative, but appeal to a younger audience. These sessions will also be recorded and available for viewing on this page.

business pitch competion

Submit Video: April 3-April 5

Instructions for submitting your video will be emailed to all participants.

Create a video pitching your business for a chance to win.

Level 1: 5-8 years old

Level 2: 9-11 years old

Level 3: 12-14 years old

Level 4: 15-17 years old

If your business has multiple owners that range in age (for example, ages 5, 8, and 10), your level will be based on the oldest member in your group. Each level will have one (1) winner for a total of four (4) prize winners. Of these four winners, one will be selected to receive a cash prize of $250. We encourage the cash prize winner to use their winnings to further their business development. Winners will be announced and awarded at the event.

Your video must be between 2-3 minutes in length (no less, no more) and include:

• Business name and the meaning behind it.
  
• Explanation of products/services you are offering and how it benefits people.
  
• Reasons you think you should be selected for the prize and how the grand prize ($250 cash prize) will assist or aid you in your current or future business development?
  

Young Entrepreneurs will be scored on a 1-5 scale for the following:

______Innovation - Is your business idea unique or an improvement to an existing idea with great potential of impact?

______Clarity and Comprehensiveness - Is your presentation concise, to the point, and well-organized?

______Wow Factor - Is your presentation memorable and unique?

______Feasibility - Is the proposed venture/idea realistic?

______Quality - Does your video have good lighting and clear sound?

EVENT guidelines

We are a team of passionate entrepreneurs, mentors, and parents, who want to give children the space to learn about entrepreneurship in a practical and fun way. This event is designed to give young entrepreneurs (YE) the experience of selling products, goods and/or services in a market setting. YE are responsible for set up, customer interactions, sales, and clean-up. Parents may help their child, but we encourage YE to do as much as possible by themselves.

VENUE - Corpus Christi Catholic School:

We are thrilled to have our 2nd annual Young Entrepreneur Market on April 13, 2024 at Corpus Christi Catholic School. The school’s gym and cafeteria will provide us ample room for expanding our market. It will also allow us to decrease our booth fees from $50 in April 2023 to $25 per booth in April 2024.

PARTICIPANTS:

Participants must be 5-17 years old

Participants do not need to be enrolled or have a religious affiliation with Corpus Christi Catholic School

Participants under 14 must be accompanied by an adult

PRODUCTS/SERVICES APPROVED:

YE can sell food*, handmade or store-bought items

*Food Products:

• Commercially packaged food from an approved source that does not require temperature control for safety (refrigeration) can be sold without needing a permit from the Health Department. The food must stay in its original packaging.
  
• If you are registered as cottage food operator you may sell your cottage food products. (No homemade food unless you have a cottage food license.)
  
• No food that requires temperature control (hot or cold) permitted, unless you have the proper permit from the Health Department
  
• No food preparation or cooking allowed at the event.
  
• No food samples permitted.
  

Examples of products: Keychains, Recycled Golf Balls, Tie Dye Shirts, Jewelry, Stationary, Art, Collectibles, Candles, Stickers, Candy, Gift Wrapping Service, and more.

PRODUCTS/SERVICES NOT APPROVED:

• Homemade food without a Cottage Food License
• Products/services that promote political views, profanity, sexuality, or other mature content.
• Illegal products and services
• Weapons or look-a-like weapons of any kind
• YE may NOT sell goods or services on behalf of their parents
  

BOOTHS:

All booths will be assigned by event coordinators. These assignments will be emailed to you closer to the event date.

A single booth (10x10) can fit up to an 8-foot table. A double booth (10x20) can fit up to two 8-foot tables. YE are responsible for the following:

• Tables and Chairs
• Tablecloth(s)
• Products - Your inventory!
• Packaging (bags, tissue paper, etc. for customers)
• Extension cord (access to power is not guaranteed and needs prior approval)
• A sign with your business name
• Price list or price tags
• Display props (stands for signs, stands for product, decorations)
• Cash box
• Change (Cash and Coins)
• Pen and paper to record items sold and revenue
• Credit card reader (optional)
• Business cards or sign with contact information (consider a QR code)
• Order forms for future orders
• Bring any supplies you may need (scissors, tape, calculator, etc.)

BOOTHS (CONT.):

• No attachments to walls (including signs, decorations, etc.)
• All belongings must fit within your booth space
• Be respectful to your neighbors and surroundings
• If you sell out of product, please do not break down your booth until the end of the market at 4:00 p.m.

PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED FOR BEST BOOTH DURING MARKET PER AGE LEVEL:

Design a well-organized, inviting, creative, and professional booth.

PARENT OR GUARDIAN:

YE under 14 years old must have an adult present at their booth.

We encourage YE to handle all aspects of their business.

You can assist your YE, but please don't engage customers. If your child’s offering is too much on their own, pare down the offering.

CHECK-IN:

You will have an opportunity to set up 2 hours before the start of the event. Please arrive no later than 1 hour before the event kicks off.

We will provide you with loading/unloading details prior to the event.

CLEAN-UP:

YE will have 1 hour following event to remove all belongings and trash.

REGISTRATION:

All YE must register by clicking on the button below. A parent or guardian must fill out the online form in order for their YE to participate.

List all children's names (5-17 years old) in your family that plan to participate at the same booth. Any non-family members (5-17 years old) that plan to help sell at your booth, must register separately with a parent/guardian's permission. One business per booth. We suggest 4 Young Entrepreneurs and 1 Adult per booth.

No refunds will be given for any reason. No exceptions.

All registrations are non-transferrable.

No animals allowed.

Event Organizers

Kristin Booth,

Co-Owner of CO+LAB

Amy Gammelgard,

Co-Owner of CO+LAB

Contact us with any questions: communitylabllc@gmail.com