Last week’s Mini Maker’s Market in Zelienople offered a great opportunity for our youngest entrepreneurs to show off their wares and learn a little something about being small business owners.

Organizer Sara Rice intends for the market to become an annual event that will give children a chance to learn really valuable, hands-on lessons, while meeting new people. Rice said the experience gives the children an outlet for their creative energy and helps their confidence grow — in addition to the dollars in their piggy banks.

Children who get a chance to see what it’s like to create and earn money for their creations at a young age might find a path toward a future career. They might start building financial intelligence at an earlier age. They just might find the confidence they need to truly follow their passions later in life.

Cadence Pile, 13, learned how to crochet and spent months this year improving her work. The Mini Maker’s event gave her a chance to show off her hard work, earn her own money and meet other people who like to crochet. Those types of experiences can’t really be quantified in the moment, but it’s something she’s unlikely to forget.

Some young artists took what many students are now learning in STEAM classes — Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math — and used 3D printers to create masterpieces to sell under the name “For Da Funniez.” What a unique chance to take practical skills they’re able to learn in important classes and use them to express themselves artistically.

Emily Shinsky, 8, sold plants that she grew herself under the name “Stems by Em.” Her mom said it was a great chance for her young daughter to learn some things about finances and business. There aren’t a lot of chances for children that age to have opportunities like this. More communities should consider offering such markets.

In so many ways, offering children and young people a chance to give their creativity an outlet like this can open doors they may not have tried to open on their own. Every new experience is a learning opportunity and every exposure we can give them to get a taste of their potential futures can only build their confidence.

Zelienople’s Mini Maker’s Market is a great idea and more communities should think about similar ways to give young people what might be their first big break in life.