Young people in the Golden Triangle with an entrepreneurial spirit are invited to showcase their handmade or homegrown talents and ideas at the Aspiring Young Entrepreneurs Market to be held from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23 in Columbus.
The new event is presented by Columbus Main Street, Hitching Lot Farmers Market and Mississippi University for Women. It will take place at the farmers market site at Second Avenue and Second Street North, adjacent to the Columbus Soccer Complex. Deadline to submit an application is Aug. 31. Thirty entrepreneurs between the ages of 10 and 18 will be selected to participate.
The market is intended as a resource and inspiration to the next generation of creative youth who have the potential to become future business leaders.
Columbus Main Street’s goal is to empower youth and help each understand they have the ability to go out into the world and be part of the business sector, said Barbara Bigelow, Columbus Main Street executive director. This initiative offers a professional experience organizers hope will help participants grow into knowledgeable entrepreneurs and business-minded leaders.
“Many young people have turned their ideas into successful businesses and very often only need a little encouragement and guidance to do so,” Bigelow said. “If our market can provide this for one or more of our area youth, I will be extremely happy and feel we have accomplished our goal.”
To participate
Hitching Lot Farmers Market coordinator Katherine Lucas said, “Since this is an extension of the farmers market, market guidelines must be followed. Items sold at the market must be handmade or homegrown solely by the young entrepreneur, who must live within 50 miles of the Hitching Lot Farmers Market.”
Entrepreneurs 17 or younger must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at the market.
For applications, visit columbusmainstreet.com, email [email protected] or call 662-328-6305. Applications must be submitted to the Columbus Main Street office by Friday, Aug. 31.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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