Young entrepreneurs take center stage at Zelienople’s Open Air Market
Nine months after being gifted a crocheting kit for her birthday and watching countless hours of YouTube videos to improve her craft, 13-year-old Cadence Pile was eager to show off some of her finest work.
She was one of dozens of budding business owners who became the center of attention in Zelienople on Thursday evening, Sept. 11, as the borough hosted its Mini Maker’s Market, giving young entrepreneurs a chance to showcase and sell their handmade creations along the town’s streets.
“Probably seeing the finished result and also the joy of doing it is just being in the process of it,” said Pile about what she enjoys most about her new after-school hobby.
While the market was an opportunity to earn some extra cash for her crocheted toys and items, Pile said she appreciated the chance to interact with others.
“It’s really exciting because I get to show people what I do and what I like,” she said. “A lot of people find it interesting and I get to meet a lot of new crocheters and stuff.”
Just feet away, 8-year-old Emily Shinsky was selling a plethora of potted plants under her business, “Stems by Em,” while her mother and grandmother, Darlene, oversaw the operation.
“I had some help by my mom,” said Shinsky on picking the name and growing her plants, which included thyme, golden pothos, philodendron and spider plants.
Darlene Shinsky said the market was invaluable for teaching lessons about business at an early age.
“I think it’s great to give them the chance to have entrepreneurship, to deal with the people and see how the economics work,” she said. “I just think it’s cool.”
Other children were selling New-Age works of art that they printed from home on their 3D printer.
Conrad Palsa and Brayden Malyszka brought dozens of 3D printed goods under their business called “For Da Funniez.”
“I definitely like meeting different people,” Palsa, 13, said. “I also like seeing what’s trending online and seeing if it really sells for what people say it does.”
Organizer Sara Rice said the market will become an annual event to give children a chance to learn valuable life lessons while meeting new friends.
“It’s great to get them out here,” she said. “Their creative energy is incredible. They all make a lot of money and you see so much confidence coming out of this. So it’s an awesome event for them.”
