Young entrepreneurs showcase businesses at Future Makers Youth Market
By Tyler Tripodi
Click here for updates on this story
OKLAHOMA CITY (KOCO) — Kids in Oklahoma City had the chance to showcase their businesses and learn about entrepreneurship on Saturday at the Future Makers Youth Market.
“We have students in Oklahoma City from grades 4 through 12 who are business owners, entrepreneurs and artists,” said event organizer Jabee Williams.
The young participants were excited about the opportunity to present their work and make sales.
“We sell like cookies, desserts, like 3D printed items, drinks,” said Luke Brown, a young entrepreneur.
Brown started his business 7 times this year when he decided he wanted to start a card shop.
“It means like to be resilient. And they’re never like, never back down,” Brown said.
It’s something Brown learned he would need to be in order to become an entrepreneur, and now thanks to the Future Makers Youth Market, he is learning that lesson and more from others who have already walked that path.
For Williams, the event was a chance to inspire and mentor the next generation.
“My thing is always. And it’s not about I like you can be better than me. You can be greater than. You can do more than what I’ve got. So, I just want to help propel some of these, you know, these young people,” Williams said. “These kids, can, you know, watch what some of us have done in the community and go replicate it, but also do better and be more.”
Williams said the kids who were at the event were able to hear from local business owners, artists and even Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt.
Brown said that while the experience was invaluable, he was excited to get a taste of what happens when it all works out.
“I just like that I get to do this, and I make money off of doing it,” Brown said.
After Saturday’s successful event, Williams said they will be hosting another Future Maker event in the spring, as well as an entrepreneur workshop for kids this winter.
Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.