Year 11 Youth Entrepreneur turns passion into a business
Kiana Mei
Youth Markets Melbourne
Creating a series of markets that are made up of sellers who are all under the age of 18. That will provide young people with an opportunity to put their business idea out there and sell in a supportive environment where they will also develop entrepreneurial skills at a young age and meet other likeminded teens.
As a young person and small business owner Kiana has spoken to others the same age and has identified a gap in the market where there is no market currently aimed specifically towards young people who are establishing or running their own business. Kiana also feels passionate about sharing her own experiences with the stallholders about starting out as a young business owner and sharing her own advice for starting your own successful small business and managing it whilst still studying at school.
1. What inspired and motivated you to create your Social Enterprise?
My inspiration behind Youth Markets Melbourne has come from my own direct experience selling at over 70 local markets across Melbourne in the past 12 months. With my hard work and determination I have built my small business to a $70k + p/a income stream while also studying full time in Year 11. This experience has made me independent, confident and visionary. I now want to give back and support youth that have a business/product idea that they would like to sell but are unsure how to take it to the next step, and to also help them with the setup costs to start selling at a market.
My idea for Youth Markets Melbourne is to create a series of zero cost markets that are made up of selected sellers who are under the age of 18 and need financial and guiding support to start their business. This will allow young entrepreneurs to promote their business and sell in a supportive environment where they will also develop a magnitude of life skills at a young age, whilst also having the opportunity to network and meet other like minded teens.
2. What are some of your roles as the Youth Market Manager at Youth Markets Melbourne?
Some of my roles would include going through the youth/support applications, liaising with market sponsors, promoting and advertising the market to the public and conducting mentoring sessions with the selected young business owners.
3. What is important to you about social impact and sustainability through the social enterprise model?
The social enterprise model is a business that has a greater impact and has considerations that go further than just making a profit. It is only a social enterprise that can prioritise its social goals and the change the business will have on the world rather than focusing on solely meeting stakeholder needs or generating a certain number of sales in a year. By focusing on making a difference in the world, rather than counting the number of dollars being made, a social enterprise business is able to contribute to having a positive impact on the environment and society. Choosing to own a social enterprise means being part of making changes happen and experiencing the intrinsic benefits that come with making the world a better place.
4. What is your favourite piece of art you have created?
My favourite and most popular origami artwork is the Enchanted Sakura Tree, which features a Japanese cherry blossom tree and hand folded origami butterflies. This artwork was inspired by my time spent in Tokyo in 2020, where I studied at an international school in Kichijoji during cherry blossom season.
5. What is the most beautiful part of working with origami?
Origami is a detailed and precise craft that pays tribute to traditional Japanese artwork. Each time that I individually hand fold my origami butterflies, I feel a connection to Japan and reminisce about the time spent studying and living in this amazing country.
6. How does a Youth Market in Melbourne support young people in the community?
The young entrepreneurs will be supported through 1 on 1 mentoring sessions with me where they will gain entrepreneurial skills, self confidence, independence and advice on maintaining a balance between school and work. I will be working with each one of them to turn their passions and ideas into an income stream whilst also being able to still study full time.
7. Why is it important to support young business owners through Youth Markets Melbourne?
The first initial step of bringing a business idea to life is always a big hurdle that first needs to be overcome by any aspiring business owner. Through my support in working with the selected youth to launch their business into the public and guiding them with the knowledge needed to run a market stall, I hope the young people feel more confident with managing their business into the future by helping them with that first initial step.
Every purchase made by the general public at the youth’s market stalls will be contributing to the success of their business growing and developing.
8. How do envision Youth Markets Melbourne in the next few years? What are the social impacts it will have?
Each selected young person will begin their business journey by sharing their future financial goal or aspiration that they would like to achieve.
Customer purchases will be supporting the work and passions of the youth of today, which will hopefully lead to the young people’s goals being achieved and making them a successful, innovative, resilient and motivated member of society through the works of owning their own business at a young age.
The social impacts that my social enterprise has is that it will develop entrepreneurial and business skills in young people, provide opportunities for them to earn an income so that they can contribute to the economy and it will create a sense of community and support from the general public who will visit the market and purchase from the young entrepreneurs.