Shawnee City through the Shawnee Parks & Recreation is encouraging its young people to engage in business by holding a KidsFest Business Fair. Held last September 07, 2019,

Shawnee youths, at ages ranging between 6 and 16, promoted their business in booth spaces that cost them $10. Around 25 to 30 of Shawnee’s young entrepreneurs participated by displaying and selling crafts, as well as advertising and performing services.

According to Shawnee Park recreation coordinator for Youth and Special Events, Matt Mann, they wanted to provide ways by which the young people of Shawnee can avail of opportunities for themselves at an early age. Mann said the city also engaged adult entrepreneurs to provide support and tips that will further encourage their younger counterparts to grow their entreprise.

 

As part of the KidsFest Business Fair’s educational aspect, kids gained actual experience by presenting their business ideas. They also received advice on how to go about related business plans.

 

After all, the main goal of the kid’s business fair is to boost the confidence of Shawnee’s young people not only by acquiring valuable lessons but also in providing a venue in which they can start getting the feel of business even at their young ages.

Applicanta to the fair were asked to develop their respective brand, craft a product or conceptualize a service, and devise a marketing strategy. Those who qualified then launched their own startup business during the holding of the one-day KidsFest Business Fair.

 

Mann met with young entrepreneurs who have been running their crafting businesses for several years now, including a pair of Shawnee sisters

Enterprising Shawnee Sisters Get their Chance to Go Public at Shawnee’s KidsFest Business Fair

 

Ten-year old Kinley Wohlgemuth and her 8-year sister Rylan, own and operate a business that they privately call “Shawnee Sisters,” which produces and sells various crafts. Their mom, Ashley Wohlgemuth, said the sisters are constantly crafting and are able to sell their creations; but stressed that those are all the girls are selling.

 

Rylan is in charge of baking and making beads, while Kinley creates scrunchies. They are also into baking goodies, like muffins and scones. The sisters started selling their crafts and fresh-baked goods at garage sales where they are allowed to display their products.

 

Participating in the KidsFest Business Fair enabled Kinley to pick up entrepreneurial skills that make her even more excited in continuing the “Shawnee Sisters” crafting business.