Business fair showcases ventures by local kids
About 25 vendors took part in the inaugural Niagara Kids Business Fair at MacBain Community Centre in Niagara Falls on Saturday.
The fair, which allowed kids in grades 1 to 8 to sell their art, crafts, food, clothing, accessories and other products, was organized by Olivia Hearth, a 12-year-old from Niagara Falls.
Olivia, a Grade 6 student at St. John Henry Newman Catholic Elementary School, has a small home business called Livy’s Customs through which she sells cups, clothing and stickers she customizes using a Cricut cutting machine.
Olivia said she has participated in markets in the past and wanted other kids to have similar opportunities to highlight their work, which is why she came up with the idea to host a Niagara Kids Business Fair.
“I’m very excited that everyone is here and getting the opportunity to promote their stuff,” she said.
Ian Hearth, Olivia’s father, said watching his daughter organize, promote and execute such an event is “definitely a proud moment.”
“What she’s done and how she’s put it all together, and the reaction that she’s got from everybody makes me super proud,” he said.
Annaleigh Neilson and Isabel Gledhill, 12-year-old Grade 7 students from Fonthill, were selling their crocheted items such as animal plushies and hair accessories.
“We normally crochet just for fun, so we decided that we could make a lot of things and sell them,” said Isabel.
“I think it’s really interesting that (the event is) getting kids involved into the business world, and I think it’s really exciting and fun,” added Annaleigh.
James and Helen Legros, siblings from Niagara Falls, were selling art.
“It was a really good chance to get our art out there,” said Helen.
James said they recently created an Instagram page to which they post a lot of their art.
“We’ve been preparing for the past month, making a whole bunch of drawings,” he said.
Mya Gabriele, Audrey Tiller and Emma Karagiannis were selling cups, makeup bags, pencil cases and key chains they customize using a Cricut machine.
“We just wanted something to keep us busy,” said Mya.
“The fact that we’re able to do something we love and be able to share the things that we create and enjoy creating with other people, it’s just fun.”
Olivia said another Niagara Kids Business Fair is scheduled for June 4 at Ridley College in St. Catharines, and that she hopes it will lead to more markets in the future.