When sisters Emery and Hannah Hynes from St. Thomas asked for supplies to make soap and candles for Christmas, they had no idea that their new hobby would kickstart their first business.
This summer, their shea butter soap and soy wax candle venture, The Hannery, will join other youth-run stalls at a weekly young entrepreneur market in Aylmer, Ont.
“It was just a hobby at first, and then we decided that we wanted to try to sell it and get into these markets. We started and it kind of became an actual ‘thing,'” Hannah, 12, said.
“It’s exciting because we know that it’s just a really small business, and it’s something that we made,” she added. “I’m glad [when] somebody else wants to have it and use it instead of it just being us.”
The third annual youth market takes place every Tuesday from 9 a. m. to 3 p. m. throughout July and August at the Aylmer Sales Arena and Farmers Market located at 51 Murray St.
Kids and teens under 18 can rent table space for $10 each week if they want, according to market owner Stephanie Lensink. Aside from food items, vendors can sell anything from handmade crafts to second-hand clothes and toys.
![]()
Sisters Emery Hynes, 14, and Hannah Hynes, 12, are the owners of a shea butter soap and soy wax candle business called The Hannery. This is their second year selling at the Aylmer Sales Arena and Farmers Market. (Kendra Seguin/ )
“I always wanted to start something in the summertime for kids,” Lensink shared. “I’m a mom, my son likes creating things; there wasn’t anywhere for kids to set up shop for such a low cost.”
Tuesday’s market showcased five youth businesses alongside some regular adult vendors around the edges of the building. In past years, Lensink mentioned they’ve had up to 12 vendors daily with around 40 different businesses over the summer season.
She noted that returning vendors like the Hynes sisters who had a booth last year get a chance to build their confidence as entrepreneurs during the market.
“I was just blown away by how much they grew just over the summer,” she recalled. “It was really sweet to see shy girls at the beginning of the season; by the time they were done they would engage with anybody.”![]()
Friends Paisley Detzler, Grace Detzler, and Maya Di Lullo are sharing a table at Aylmer Sales Arena and Farmers Market where they’re selling handmade jewelry along with keychains and fidget toys as well as some second-hand collectibles. (Kendra Seguin/ )
“I feel that when I’m selling I can help me but also help other people find stuff they love or want to wear,” Di Lullo, 8 years old said.
Parents of these young sellers mention that running a business has been an excellent way for their kids to stay engaged creatively while picking up valuable life skills during summer break.
“Who knows? Maybe after college this could be an actual business,” said Nancy Fitch, mother of the Hynes sisters. “They joke about one day wanting to rent out the old Costco factory! Maybe they’ll achieve something big someday.”
There are still tables available for young entrepreneurs on Tuesdays all through summer; Lensink expressed her intention to grow the market as interest increases.
Source link
“I was just blown away by how much they grew just over the summer,” she recalled. “It was really sweet to see shy girls at the beginning of the season; by the time they were done they would engage with anybody.”
Source link
