Kids Market expanding on success for growth

By /Ry Clarke on September 27, 2022.

Herald photo by RY CLARKE Judy Sakal Meier, left, checks in with vendors at the Kids Market on Saturday at the Fish and Game Hut.

The second annual Kids Entrepreneur Fall Market was held this weekend at the Lethbridge Fish and Game Hut with young entrepreneurs showcasing their creations and business savvy minds.

“It has grown so much since we started. We had 23 kids last year, and now we are up to 43 kids with 38 tables selling copious amounts of stuff,” said Judy Sakal Meier, event organizer. “The whole idea is to get kids noticed for what they do. In the past everybody had a lemonade stand, everybody wanted to make a few cents. But now, as the generations have gone and upped the ante. Kids are doing things like custom designs, 3D creations, custom t-shirts, and candles. That lemonade stand has progressed into something bigger, and I think it needs to be recognized.”

Understanding that with the creative flow comes new talent, Sakal Meier wanted to do something more than having a fair where kids have their parents do all the work, instead wanting to teach while creating opportunities.

“It teaches them responsibility. Money management, social skills, things you don’t typically learn in school,” said Sakal Meier. “Kids have to pay a small fee to get into the market, they have to pay for their materials, and then they have to sell it to recoup and make a profit. That’s what they gain, as well as pride in what they do.”

Summer Kisio set up her booth at the market, Summer’s Soap Box, selling her handmade creations.

“I sell a whole variety of things, like bath bombs, soaps, candles, and pedi-bombs,” said Kisio. She makes all her products herself, though she does give credit to her Nana who helps with the hot stuff.

Kisio first got into her business as a way to help around the house and pay towards the things she wanted to pursue.

“When I was little, like eight, I needed a way to pay for my dance lessons to help my mom out. I thought I should start selling soap. I found an old pizza box and cleaned it up and coloured it, put some soap in it and took it to school and sold it,” said Kisio, pointing out why she calls her business “Summer’s Soap Box.”

Though the box is gone, she fills a table with her own creations of soap, finding passion in what she does.

“I really love it. The hardest part is deciding which scents and colours to use. We have cabinets of scents and colours with different ingredients and flavours,” said Kisio.

Creating opportunities for young entrepreneurs to get exposure for their talents and business the Kids Market helped towards life lessons and successful futures.

“It teaches them responsibility which we all end up needing as we get older,” said Sakal Meier.