Purchase options grow tenfold for one day as youth entrepreneurs descend on a Victoria mall, filling tables with goods and services.
Kidovate – a free youth initiative courtesy of UVic Gustavson School of Business and professors Brock Smith and Claudia Smith – culminates in Market Day at the Bay Centre on April 5. More than 180 high school and middle school students from Mill Bay to Sooke to Victoria come together to showcase their entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and innovativeness.
“I think there are soup-to-nuts reasons to go,” said Claudia Smith. “The biggest why is to support these young individuals who have taken this big leap and created things that they think are valuable and spent a ridiculous amount of time over many many months. They arrive so bright-eyed and bushy-tailed excited to show the world what they’ve done.”
Kidovate is a fun, free, entrepreneurship initiative for youth typically aged 12 to 17. The program aims to foster an entrepreneurial spirit, develop business acumen, and instill social responsibility.
Last year one boy whose dad had died raised money for hospice, a girl raised money for a library and other kids are often looking to buy something special they couldn’t otherwise. Some just have a passion for entrepreneurship.
Kidovate supports youth through that journey with resources that include a graphic novel workbook, access to UVic student mentors and a learning guide for teachers and parents that is tied to the new B.C. curriculum.
While $5 will go a long way, even shopping isn’t necessary, Claudia said.
“The kids are just so eager. Even if someone doesn’t have the extra cash to buy something, just standing in front of their little table and asking questions is helpful,” she added. “It’s just having the conversation and being encouraging and supportive it goes a long way.”
The Kidovate market is Saturday, April 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Bay Centre in downtown Victoria.
Learn more about the program online at kidovate.ca.
