Little Entrepreneurs Market 2024: A Celebration of Youth Talent and Creativity

By Larsen Stephens

It’s not every day you get to witness the birth of something truly special, but that’s exactly what the inaugural Little Entrepreneurs Market delivered this year. It was a day where creativity met business, where kids transformed into business owners, and where our community gathered to support the next generation of entrepreneurs. This first-ever event gave our youth the chance to roll up their sleeves and dive headfirst into the world of retail, and they absolutely knocked it out of the park!

Walking through the market, I was completely blown away by the sheer variety of booths. There were custom t-shirts, delicious cotton candy, beautiful mugs, hand-crafted jewelry, and—you’re not going to believe this—real live fish! The creativity was off the charts. Whether you were in the mood for some homemade cookies, breakfast foods, or even a scoop of ice cream, there was something for everyone. And the best part? It was all run by the kids themselves, with just a little help from their proud parents.

One of my favorite moments was stopping by a booth where I told the girl to surprise me with what she wanted to create. When I came back a few minutes later, a young entrepreneur gave me a pink and blue bracelet. I could see the excitement in her eyes as she gave it to me, and I was just as excited to wear it! It took me back to the days when I sold lemonade on the street corner or walked through parades selling snappers. Seeing that same hustle and energy in these kids brought a huge smile to my face.

Led by Acacia Reynolds and her amazing team, the Little Entrepreneurs Market didn’t just focus on selling. It was also about learning. Kids gained hands-on experience in marketing, customer service, and the ins and outs of running a business—all while having an absolute blast. There’s nothing like learning by doing, and these young entrepreneurs were definitely soaking it all in.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the incredible support of the parents. Behind every booth was a dedicated parent or family member helping their young entrepreneur turn their ideas into reality. From baking cookies to building displays and offering guidance along the way, the parents were the unsung heroes of the event. Their encouragement and willingness to nurture creativity made all the difference, and it’s clear that the success of the Little Entrepreneurs Market was a true family affair. A huge thank you to all the parents who helped bring this event to life—you’re helping shape the future of our community in the best way possible.

Looking ahead to next year, there’s no doubt this event will grow even bigger and better, and draw in even more customers. All in all, the Little Entrepreneurs Market was a huge success and a total game-changer for our community. It’s proof that with the right support and encouragement, our youth can achieve amazing things. I can’t wait to see where this event goes from here.

If you didn’t make it this time, don’t worry. There’s always next year, and I have a feeling it’s going to be even more exciting! To end, we’ll share a message from the founder of the Little Entrepreneurs Market, Acacia Reynolds:

A Message from Acacia Reynolds
Founder of the Little Entrepreneurs Market

I wanted to take a moment to share a little background on how the Little Entrepreneurs Market came to be and to extend my sincere appreciation for all the support we received in making it such a success.

The inspiration for this market came from my two daughters, ages 7 and 8, who started by selling lemonade at our local farmers market in Price, UT. I saw how much they learned from the experience and wanted to create a space within our community where other children could gain the same skills. Rather than keeping it as a small lemonade stand or occasional activity, I decided to open the opportunity to more families. The response from parents was overwhelmingly positive, as many shared how they were looking for ways to help their children develop communication and customer service skills.

To make the market both educational and manageable, I introduced a ticket system to teach the kids about the transfer of money in a simple way. This method allowed them to understand financial transactions without directly handling cash, while also ensuring that all proceeds went to the kids. I was amazed by the turnout and the sheer size of the event. The support from the community and all the parents who helped their children create successful booths was truly humbling.

Looking ahead, I hope to continue hosting the Little Entrepreneurs Market in future years. I’d like to highlight Nathan Carroll, our youngest entrepreneur at just 5 years old. He not only managed his booth on his own but was also the first to sell out! It’s truly incredible to see what these young minds can achieve when given the chance to showcase their abilities. Additionally, every booth at the market was amazing. It was clear that all the kids put so much effort and creativity into their businesses, and the range of ideas and products was impressive.

Thank you once again for your support and encouragement. I look forward to continuing this journey and providing more opportunities for our little entrepreneurs in the years to come.

Warm regards,
Acacia Reynolds