Have you seen Violet’s business? If you have been anywhere within a few feet of it, I bet you have. How do I know? Because Violet is incredible at speaking to Every New Potential Customer who walks by her table and won’t let you walk away until you hear about her budding business!
While all of our students are excited to build their business and are nearly bouncing off the walls the night before a big Market Day, Violet really focused on her training and understood that it isn’t enough to just set up her booth and hope people come running. It isn’t about a shy child vs one that is not. It was about her focus on getting the job done and working through what works best and what doesn’t. Violet wanted to be successful and continues to practice this skill.
For all of our Build a Biz Kid Graduates, we offer additional opportunities to build their businesses and learn new skills. Violet jumped at the chance to participate in a real adult Market hosted by the Tri Cities Collective in Port Moody.
Her first Market Day was a part of her program with Build a Biz Kids. She set up shop, spoke to customers, made some sales and had a lot of fun. when she came to set up for her second market, Wow! Violet didn’t just set up the same business and hope that things went better. She improved her business, she observed other students businesses on the previous market day and then tried some new approaches.
The first thing she did was expand her product line strategically. Violet sold handmade jewelry using up-cycled materials. She offered earrings and bracelets with reasonable price tags. She had a beautiful display with all of the colors everything came in for easy view and clearly marked information with prices.
So what did she add? A simple, low cost matching hair pin. She consciously thought of price when making these because she wanted an easy up sell or low cost item for someone who didn’t have enough money to buy a full set. By the end of the day, we asked how it went and, low and hold, her hair pins were the best seller.
We try to make a point to interview each student at their market to understand how they are processing the day. This market was different. They were set up next to adult vendors selling competitive products who do this for a living. That’s some steep competition so we asked her how she felt about it. “It’s cool and doesn’t feel competitive because none of them are anything like my products.” YES! That’s exactly the mindset we hope to instill in each KidPreneur. What you are doing is special and unique; just focus on your customers and your business model. There is enough room for everyone.
We asked Violet what she learned at this market and what she might do differently at the next one. She noted that her earrings weren’t selling as well as she liked, but her bracelets were. “For the next market, I might make some adjustments like a better display or lower the price.” The learning process is never complete in Entrepreneurship and Violet is a Real KidPreneur taking this approach.
It can’t be underestimated how much resiliency is developed by placing our children in these kinds of real world situations. By giving them the right mindset before embarking on something so BIG in their worlds, Violet saw a lack in sales as an opportunity for HER to improve. Not to complain about how the world is not giving her money or treating her nicely. This attitude will serve her in all aspects of her life as she grows into an incredible teenager and adult.
Violet gave some quick advice to other kids wanting to start their own business. “Know where you are going to sell and your target customer and don’t make too much product or you’ll be selling to your friends forever!” That is fantastic advice Violet! See you at the next Market Day!
To find out how you can register your child for one of our KidPreneur Programs, visit our website.
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