Mini Market movers motivated by mentors

I was excited for the Mini Market in Carrington City Park last Tuesday, as it was a chance to see the next generation of movers and shakers in business, in action.

I unfortunately couldn’t make it, so reporter Erik Gjovik was my eyes and ears at the event.

Erik visited four young entrepreneurs, and there was a common theme among them. They were all inspired by an enterprising adult, in most cases their parents.

Liza Steele from New Rockford sold custom greeting cards. Her business was aptly named "Little Greetings by Liza."

"I love arts and crafts, and there was a lady here who kind of got me inspired to do this. It's my first year doing it, and it's been a lot of fun," Liza said. Her parents, Travis and Amy Steele, are bison ranchers and owners of the Rock Inn.

Alivia Blahna and Ben Blahna had two tables at the Market. Alivia sold t-shirts, sunglasses, scrunchies, pop-its and squishies, while Ben offered pink lemonade and brownies from his space.

Alivia said, "My mom (Angie), she helps with the farmer's market, and I just wanted to sell stuff that I love."

Ben added, "I've been to markets too, and I also thought it would be fun to sell something. Mom kind of helped me put the brownies and lemonade together."

Parker Mattson ran a table, "Hey Cutie! by Parker," with the help of her friend, Kori Ness. Parker's inventory included bracelets, scrunchies, key chains, earrings and other fun items.

Her mom, Sheena, helped inspire Parker to go into selling for herself thanks to her experiences with her home-based apparel business. Kori was recruited to watch over Parker's sales for the evening.

Hearing all these stories had me reminiscing about my humble beginnings into entrepreneurship. When I was eight or nine years old, I started selling Current. How many of you remember ordering greeting cards, gift wrap, labels and other trinkets from that brightly colored catalog? My mom, who has always encouraged me in my endeavors, was my personal taxi. We made many trips to our neighbors in rural Bowdon, both to sell and to deliver their purchases.

I also grew up watching my dad, who has been self-employed since before I was born. He sat in his office, a.k.a. the kitchen table, early in the morning and late at night handwriting invoices, making phone calls and drafting quotes for customers. He worked long hours rebuilding roads, pulling and fixing pumps, and installing sewer systems.

Grandpa Ted was a well driller. I remember going to visit him and my grandma at their Carrington home (and business headquarters) during tax season, and their dining room table was filled with receipts, ledgers, logs and calculators.

Now, I’m about to celebrate my seventh year in business, and my oldest daughter is ready to embark on a college education studying small business management. It’s a tradition that I believe will continue to be carried on from generation to generation in our family. We may choose vastly different industries, but we all are at the helm of a small business.

I know I couldn’t work for anyone else. Believe me, I’ve tried. I’m too stubborn and independent to do things someone else’s way, especially if “it’s the way we’ve always done it.” I guess I get that from my parents and grandparents, and I’m proud of it.

I also know I wouldn’t trade this life, or this work, for anything else. I think most fellow business owners would agree with me.

I read a blog post the other day entitled, “7 Encouraging Facts About Entrepreneurship.” Below are the two I resonated with the most.

1. You can take it as far as you want. You have the power and the freedom to run your business as effectively as you want; the sky really is the limit. The point here is that you can build a business that is as professional, as grand, as specific as you want it to be. The only limitations you have are the ones you set for yourself. You set the tone, you establish the parameters, and you stop exactly where you decide you want to stop.

2. You have the power to make daily contributions to your local economy and job force. Small businesses put money back into the local economy. You might pay other local vendors or partners, who in turn do the same, contributing to the locality. At the same time, it’s likely that you are also creating jobs for people who live there, who take the money you pay them, and again recycle that money.

I want to give a shout out to the adults who encouraged these youth to participate in the Mini Market, as well as to any parent, guardian or grandparent who lets a kid set up a lemonade stand, bake cupcakes or mow lawns to make a little extra spending cash. It’s how we keep this dream called entrepreneurship alive.

And kids, if you want to know what it’s like to own your own business, give me a call. I’d be happy to show you all sides of this crazy life we call entrepreneurship.