Business sense with a boost of confidence could be found at the first-ever Young Innovators Market in Naperville. The one-day shopping showcase got its start thanks to a quiet kid who needed some encouragement herself.
“I was that kid in elementary school where the teachers didn’t even know if I could speak full sentences because I was that nervous to talk to people,” said Sophia Joo, a senior at Naperville Central High School.
Growing up, neighborhood events helped her build confidence with adults. So Joo started the Young Innovators Market in her neighborhood, Hobson West, to help other kids like her.
Market highlights youth entrepreneurs
“I always kind of wished I had something like this that was just friendly for everyone, and just a way I could get to know my neighbors and learn to talk to adults, which is something I’ve only learned in recent years,” Joo said.
The market, held Tuesday, Aug. 4, featured more than 25 young entrepreneurs ages 3 to 17.
“We have a wide range of businesses,” Joo said. “We have a three-year-old selling cheese and crackers, and then we have a 17-year-old selling her old clothes. I think one of the most popular stands right now is the dirty soda stand.”
Teaching professional skills
Ahead of market day, Joo taught a class about building a product, pricing, and speaking with enthusiasm and professionalism. She also held a media day with the kids to film a commercial about businesses featured at the market.
“It’s really cool to like watch everyone sell stuff,” said Lewis Dvorak, a 10-year-old student at Lincoln Junior High. “I really enjoy setting it up and doing all that. It’s really fun.”
“It means like a lot to me, and I am like very honored to be here,” said Claire Brown, an 11-year-old student at Lincoln Junior High School. “It’s a nice, fun bonding experience, but also giving back to people and helping them try out new things every day.”
Giving back to the community
After the market, 10% of proceeds were donated to the Naperville Police Foundation.
“The Naperville Police Foundation does so much for our neighborhood, and we just wanted to find a way to give back to them,” Joo said.
Joo hopes to host the market again in the future.
“It’s just great to see all the support and just the way every kid has grown. Maybe they came in as a shy kid, kind of like I did, but slowly, one by one, we worked with one person at a time on workshops. And so it’s just great to also see the growth in all these children as well,” Joo said.
Photojournalist: Jaren Smith
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