Annabelle Larrabee and Evie Myers learned a valuable business lesson at the third annual Prairie Fox Books Children's Business Fair in Ottawa on Saturday.
As the only two businesses on the north side of Main Street, they put up a sign at the corner of La Salle and Main streets, letting customers know they were Annabelle's Arnold Palmers and RAE Creations USA. The sign worked, bringing customers down the block.
The kid-run businesses on Saturday were just two of 30 dotted around downtown Ottawa, selling everything from food and drinks to handmade jewelry and other items. The Children's Business Fair featured pop-up shops run by kids between the ages of five and 14.
Young entrepreneurs were challenged to develop a brand, create a product or service, and build a marketing strategy. A Children's Business Fair provided participants with the opportunity to meet customers. The program aims to inspire the next generation of business owners by providing a safe environment to showcase and sell their products.
Larrabee's business idea, combining lemonade and iced tea to make “Arnold Palmers,” was perfect for an afternoon when temperatures neared 90 degrees.
“I love helping my mom,” said Larabee, whose mother works in the hospitality industry. “I really enjoy working with the customers.”
Myers, of Plainfield, owned a business called RAE Creations USA, which sold energy crystals, necklaces and other items. Myers said she visited a crystal shop almost daily, which is what first got her interested in crystals. Her father was also intrigued by the business and decided to give it a try.
“I love connecting with customers and talking to people,” Myers said.
Seventh-graders Sophia Sly and Peyton Woods of Earlville run a business called Owl Post that sells items such as bracelets and key chains and also does custom orders, and they said they have run a similar business to raise money for their school.
“To keep track of how many people came in today, we had customers drop jelly beans into the Harry Potter school,” Woods said as she made custom bracelets for customers, adding that she wants to keep her business fun and is promoting it with a Harry Potter theme.
Tyra and Anna Elisa Shaik of Leland are no strangers to entrepreneurship; they attend business fairs, run their own social media pages and sell their star designs – bracelets, key chains, corner bookmarks and magnets – year-round.
“I learned a lot about how business works,” Ana Elisa Shaik said. “I learned how to connect with customers.”
“It's a lot of work,” Tyra added. “We spend most of the school year making everything to sell.”
Nevaeh Lucas of Ottawa said she liked making bracelets after school and decided to turn her hobby into Navae's Creations. In addition to bracelets, she's also made her own hand sanitizer out of glitter.
“I love making bracelets and when I decided to start my own business I started making a lot of them to make some money,” Lucas said.
Grant Meierhofer also learned the value of marketing while hosting Meierhofer Farms, a flower and plant sale on Saturdays. Meierhofer held a live chicken, Peach, at the farm. Meierhofer said many customers stopped by the store after he shared a story about Peach being bullied by other chickens.
Meyerhofer said the most valuable lesson he learned Saturday was “don't be shy.” Peach wasn't shy, and was photographed with customers throughout the day.
A new initiative this year was for kids to set up shop on downtown sidewalks – previous fairs have been held in Washington Square – passports and maps of all participating stores were available at Prairie Fox Books and shoppers could collect signatures on their passports from young entrepreneurs for a chance to win prizes containing products from downtown Ottawa stores.
Kid-friendly businesses on Saturday included Kourtney's Kollages by Kourtney Brauhn, Keychain Land, Bella's Workshop, Aidan's Noteworthy Gifts, Maierhofer Farms, AMEN Acres, Willow's Wonders, Hawleywood Accessories, Owl Post, Star Designs, Artisique, AW Designs, Addy's Tasty Treats, Cool Boaz, Blue Eye Bracelets, Buzz Buzz Designs, Crafty Kitty, Callan's Casual Crafts, Better Together Crafts, Jane's Recycled Pet Toys, Alex Reed Studios, Navaeh's Creations, OPK Designs, RAE Creations USA, Annabelle's Arnold Palmers, Nia's CrochetAway, Meaty Treaties, AOE Landscaping, Vivienne's Pencils & More and Sheepie Farm Designs.