Business chamber hosts ribbon cutting: Junior Entrepreneurs get ready to sell products at the Emery County Fair on Aug. 2

By Patsy Stoddard
Editor

The Emery County Business Chamber hosted a ribbon cutting for the Junior Entrepreneurs.
At the July Lunch and Learn Ethan Migliori gave an engaging and knowledge-packed presentation about customer service.
He involved the Emery County Jr. Entrepreneurs.
Board executive director, Amanda Leonard said, “ Our Jr. Entrepreneurs have been hard at work starting their own businesses and will have the opportunity to sell their products at the Emery County Fair. A few of them spoke at our luncheon and presented their businesses. They will sell at the fair on Aug. 2 from 5- 7 p.m.”
Some of their businesses include: crafts, suckers, hair accessories, cotton candy, stuffed animals, cupcakes and much more.
Migliori said you must love your business if you expect others to love your business too. Katie and Kayla were making stuffed animals it took them three hours to make one animal so they were making $1 an hour, which they decided wasn’t too good. Then they started putting together kits to sell where the person could make their own stuffed animal. They also started making stick horses which was more profitable as they took 15 minutes to make and they sell them for $5.
Kelsey and Jesse made the chocolate cupcakes with filling and decorated with mini-oreos.
Migliori said, “You need to understand your customers. What are your customers expectations? You invest in your business and expect a return on your investment. You need to learn what it costs to produce your product.”
Some of the young entrepreneurs said, “It’s harder to have a business than we thought.”
They needed to learn about advertising and finding sponsors/investors for their businesses. What do the customers want and who are your potential customers and how do you find them? were all questions that needed to be addressed to be successful at their venture.
Migliori said, “These kids and their ideas are amazing.”
The young entrepreneurs had investors including parents, grandparents. They learned it takes money to start a business. Listen to your customer. Promote yourself. They learned how to work with the public and ask their customers for the sale. They will put what they’ve learned to practice when they sell their items at the fair.
Migliori asked the youth what they were going to do to promote and advertise their businesses. Some were going to make posters and put up signs. Some were going to give free samples to entice people to buy more. Others were going to do Facebook promotions to ask customers what flavors of items they wanted to be available at the fair. One was going to take orders on grandma’s Facebook page. Some were going to try newspaper advertising. Some were going to try games and promotions at their booths and give away a prize.
The young entrepreneurs are going to practice good customer service and look for ways to increase their profits. It takes money to make money was their motto for the day. Watch for these young entrepreneurs and support them at the Emery County Fair on Aug. 2 from 5-7 p.m.
One of the parents had this to say about the project.
“This business project has helped their imagination and given us tools to sewing, reading patterns, cost, markup, labor rate, presentation skills, and professionalism.
“Your group has been an answer to prayers to help them focus.
“They have fed neighbors animals, done chores, and been approved by DCFS to babysit children. They are learning to see past themselves and be good members of society.
“Projects like yours do more good than can ever be seen by a booth or money made.
“We thank you with all our heart,” said Stan Martineau.