Jessica Cromer has slowly been forging a path toward financial self-sufficiency. The 10-year-old entrepreneur sold her first painting when she was 4.
“The thing I like the most about [painting] is you can have creative freedom, and you don’t have to do a certain thing,” she said.
Her desire to sell her artwork blossomed into business ventures — Baby Jessica’s Accessories Collection and selling fun knickknacks such as squishies and slime.
Jessica’s business was on full display alongside dozens of other talented and ambitious young entrepreneurs’ at a recent Kids Markets held at Eckert’s Farm in Belleville. The international nonprofit initiative funded by grants and donations teaches young entrepreneurs the ins and outs of running a business in real time.
“We tell the parents right from the beginning, ‘Sit back, relax, hands off, and let your kids run the show,’” said Alyssa Becker, the St. Charles-area market coordinator of Kids Markets.
Joshua Carter
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Belleville News-Democrat
Jessica Cromer, 10, picks up a piece of art to show to a potential customer at Belleville Eckert’s on Sept. 12 during the Kids Markets.
Joshua Carter
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Belleville News-Democrat
Karis Lam, 11, demonstrates the elasticity of slime sold through her business, KK’s Slime, at Eckert’s on Sept. 12 in Belleville.
Each booth at the market is run entirely by kids ages 5 to 17. All participants receive hands-on instruction to teach them about entrepreneurship and how to run a successful business.
“[I see] how hard these kids work and what they can create when they’re given the freedom to do it,” Becker said. “[I see] ideas spark, the confidence, and the light in the eyes of these kids when I have conversations with them about what they’re making and how they came up with their ideas.”
The market has a little bit of everything including slime, jewelry, baked goods and a sustainable firestarter.
Joshua Carter
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Belleville News-Democrat
Violet Tweatt, 12, owner of Kandi Bracelets and More, shows off her wares at Eckert’s in Belleville on Sept. 12 during the Kids Markets, a nonprofit program that helps children practice entrepreneurial skills
Lydia Eckelkamp, 13, and her 12-year-old brother Noah Eckelkamp launched their business and named it Fantastic Fire. The duo noticed that other firestarters on the market were expensive. Lydia said they were able to create an affordable option from recyclable materials at home.
“We take egg cartoons, fill them up with sawdust, shredded paper, dryer lint, and then top it off with old candlewax,” Lydia said.
The pair have since expanded their business to include s’mores kits. Her brother said running a business has taught them life skills that school hasn’t.
“[Like] how to do taxes,” he said. “How to get people’s attention. How to run a business. How to stay on task. School can teach you that, but this definitely secures it and locks it.”
Their mother, Kate Eckelkamp, said she’s proud they’ve been able to do this on their own.
“It shows a lot of their work ethic,” she said. “I love to see them interacting with people and learning and understanding how business works, and I feel like they’re way more advanced at this age than I was.”
3D-printed creations were a hot commodity at this market, including at 14-year-old Dalton Fann’s booth — Fizzy 3D Printz. The booth was filled with dozens of colorful 3D-printed reptiles, dragons, and gigantic dinosaurs.
“I think it’s fun,” he said. “I like how I can print stuff and then make money from it so I can print more stuff.”
TuTu Cute Prints is run by 10-year-old Carlie Payne. Her hot pink booth easily stands out at the market. The business is an offshoot of her parents’ business. Here customers are able to make custom 3D-printed fidget clickers.
“You get to create your name, colors, [and] just some stuff,” Carlie said. “It’s really cool to be here and making some money, because I need chang-chang.”
Carlie is a big fan of Barbie dolls. She even brought them to the market. She said some of her profits will go toward her growing collection.
Joshua Carter
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Belleville News-Democrat
Carlie Payne, 10, of St. Louis, waits as customers browse items from her shop, Tutu Cute Prints, during the Kids Markets at Eckert’s on Sept. 12 in Belleville.
Joshua Carter
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Belleville News-Democrat
Josie Jacquay, 11, of Columbia, Illinois, sells soap to Larincia Hambrick at Eckert’s on Sept. 12 during the Kids Markets in Belleville.
For many of the kids at the market, entrepreneurship runs in the family. Jessica Cromer’s mother, also named Jessica Cromer, is a small-business owner. She runs a clothing boutique. She said as a homeschooling parent she instilled the value of entrepreneurship in both of her kids at an early age.
“They can get the reward for their efforts and they can go through the process, and sometimes see that as an entrepreneur it’s taking a risk,” said Jessica Cromer. “You don’t always get the reward for your effort, but when you do get it, it’s usually really great to see and feel that whatever you contributed you’re getting a reward for it.”
Much of those rewards have been felt in community support.
Mim Goree came to the market to purchase items from her colleague’s granddaughter, but left with a bag full of goodies from other booths. She said showing up makes a difference.
“To let them know that they’re seen and they matter,” Goree said. “It makes a difference. They’re taking their time out to do something positive. So why not show up as an adult and let them know they mean something and we care. This is our future. We’re going to be buying from them in the future. So why not support them now.”
Kids Markets are set for the rest of the year throughout the region. The next market is Oct 3 in St. Peters.