EDIE ZUVANICH Special to the Press
HUTTO – Shoppers visiting downtown to support local businesses on Shop Small Saturday found a new definition of “small” business owners. Over a dozen elementary and middle school entrepreneurs operated vendor stalls and sold handmade products at Hutto’s first Kidpreneur Market.
Eight-year-old Olivia Castillo sold epoxy key chains and jewelry at the Nov. 25 event. She has been in business since August. Her mother has an epoxy cup business and sells at fairs, and Castillo had been wanting to participate.
“When Mom saw there was a market she said we could do it, and I thought it was a good idea because I would learn about money and business,” the young entrepreneur said.
Castillo’s father James kept an eye on his daughter in the booth as she conducted business. He said it’s been a good experience for her.
“She’s learning a lot of skills, learning how to be more independent, learning how to spend her money wisely. It’s great to see,” Mr. Castillo said.
The event was organized by Gina Auditore, who owns Happy Panini food truck with husband Chris. The market took place on their lot at 101 Main. St.
Auditore was inspired to hold the market because her family felt blessed by the outpouring of community support when they started the food truck business, and they wanted to give something back. She says she was an enterprising child and has always worked with children, so the Kidpreneur Market was a natural fit.
“My love language is feeding people. I know how good it feels when I’m standing at that window watching people eat our food. And, I thought what if I felt that way as a young child and was able to do things and people encouraged that and supported that. I just think it’s very special,” Auditore said.
As a business owner, Auditore wanted to add an element of practicality to the event so she sent parents simple balance sheets to help the kids see the relation between how much they spent on supplies and how much they sold.
“Some of these kids are young and maybe don’t care about that but they should know about profit and losses,” she said.
For their part, the young vendors seemed to take money matters seriously. Many had plans for the money. Some were putting it into savings. Others, like Aiden Smith, age 13, were reinvesting in the business.
Smith sells 3D printed toys and earrings. He purchased his first 3D printer with his own savings, after first having to convince his father it would be a useful purchase.
“I bought myself the first one and started selling things I made at school. Then I was able to buy another printer and started selling at market,” Smith said.
He now owns four of the printers and continues to reinvest his money into the business.
Business partners Kiley Preusse and Ava Mangum started their company, The Pretty Little Hippo!, to earn money for their eighth grade trip to Washington, D.C. The Hutto Middle School seventh graders make beaded jewelry to sell. They encourage other students who want to own businesses to jump in.
“Try things new, experiment with yourself see what you like but make sure it’s fun for yourself,” Mangum said.
Auditore is working to schedule another Kidpreneur Market soon, and hopes to expand the project into a foundation that can offer scholarships and mentorships. But for now, she’s taking it one step at a time.
“I don’t know what it’s going to grow into, but right now I’m just happy to give them a place,” she said.
