Hope for the future of capitalism resonated Sept. 13, during the Tiny Entrepreneur Pop-Up market in Marble Falls.
“It's going great. We made a lot of money,” said fifth-grader Ethan Zachary Grossman. “It really improved my social skills, talking to people and learning about how to sell and convincing people to buy your wares.”
The event, held from 9 a.m. to noon, was the second this year hosted by Main Event Co. at Harmony Park in the heart of the downtown district.
Spicewood's William Stevens, who is in sixth grade, explained that he has known Ethan since kindergarten, so it seemed natural to strike up a business partnership with him. The pair set up William & Ethan's Drink Stand.
“He was my first friend. I didn't really know much, and I just wanted money, so I could do so more stuff, so I started a lemonade stand,” William said. “Ethan also wanted to start one, so we just made one thing.”
The event, which doubled its participation, featured more than two dozen vendors.
Organizer Jay Brown of Main Event Company described the project as highlighting the “next generation of makers, movers.”
“This isn’t your average market. This is where the kids take the lead with passion, creativity and serious business savvy,” he stated in his media release promoting the event.
Newcomer Stella Evans of Meadowlakes, a second grader, understood the assignment. Her booth, Stella's Stories, featured books and bookmarks.
“It went pretty good. I only had a few of them left. It was pretty fun,” she told The Highlander. “I had to learn that you always got to be kind, sometimes you got to smile. It was just a very good experience.”
Back at the drink stand, both Ethan and William had much to say about their participation.
“I'm meeting people,” William said. “I like having the feeling of having my own money.”
Ethan added, “It was fulfilling. You feel very free in a way.”
For more information, visit maineventcompany. com/pop-up-1.
