About Us
After multiple years of supporting and mentoring young people (including his own children) in the areas of entrepreneurship and financial literacy, our founder, Matthew Wagstaff, noticed that there were a lot of programs that taught young people the nuts and bolts of entrepreneurship and business development however there weren’t any programs that provided a platform for young people to sell what they produced or apply what they learned.
The concept of a shopping experience with all the vendors being 18 years old or younger was a concept that Matt had for several years but did not bring to life. It wasn’t until the summer of 2019, after his son participated in a similar youth event in Buffalo, NY, that Matt was inspired and finally decided to realize his vision. Shortly thereafter the marketplace was created in Rochester, NY with the first in-person event being held at First Genesis Baptist church in September 2019.
The marketplace helps to fill the void by offering real-life opportunities for young people (ages 7-18) to market and sell their products and services. In this process, the young entrepreneurs not only earn a few dollars but also gain valuable life skills and experience that will benefit them as contributing adults in society. Some of these skills include negotiation, customer service, written and verbal communication, sales, networking, budgeting, marketing, mental toughness, and confident body language. These are important skills that will support their future success regardless if they decide to ultimately pursue entrepreneurship as adults.
Our Mission
To provide a platform for young entrepreneurs to engage in commerce, develop critical life skills, and establish a community for business-minded families.
Our Vision
A community of connected and thriving young business owners.
Our Actions
Action, community, education, freedom, professionalism, integrity, and legacy.
“Give the pupils something to do, not something to learn; and the doing is of such a nature as to demand thinking; learning naturally results.”
– John Dewey
The 10th Young Entrepreneur Marketplace
Experience the vibrant energy of the 10th Young Entrepreneur Marketplace held in Rochester, New York! This event brought together young business minds to sell their products, develop essential skills, and connect with the community. The marketplace was a lively hub where kids learned crucial life skills such as communication, negotiation, and salesmanship, preparing them to become future leaders.
CONTACT
Have questions or need more information? We're here to help! Whether you're interested in our programs, upcoming events, or how you can get involved, we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us via email or follow us on social media to stay updated on the latest news and opportunities. Join our community and let's work together to empower the next generation of young entrepreneurs!
