NORWICH — Chenango County youth are encouraged to get in the spirit of entrepreneurship by selling handmade goods at the first Little Kids Business Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 14 in the Curtis Lumber parking lot, located at 48 Hale Street in Norwich.

Local mom and entrepreneur Vanesa Velazquez came up with the idea to start a vendor fair where kids can set up tables and sell their own baked goods and crafts after her daughter started a lemonade stand.

"Everything came up because of my daughter. She wanted to make a lemonade stand, which she did and she loved it. Then she wanted to do a mini donuts stand and put it at a fair or farmers’ market. But going to an event where there are many adults selling it would be a very difficult environment for her. I knew it was not going to be fair for her," said Velazquez. "So it occurred to me to create a special space to give children the opportunity to be able to create products and show what they can do, and to teach them how to earn money for themselves."

Kids involved in the fair are responsible for coming up with their business idea, crafting a business logo, creating their own products, and running a table at the business fair.

So far, Velasquez said she has 12 kids signed up, with products including mini donuts, lemonade, cookies, boba tea, jewelry, coasters, keychains, stickers, hot drinks, flower arrangements, and tie-dye t-shirts.

Any area youth aged 6 to 16 are welcome to sign up to be a vendor by contacting Velazquez at 607-373-7104. They will need to provide their business idea, business name, and logo. The deadline to register is Thursday, September 12.

"I have 12 vendors. I’m hoping to get 20, so people can still sign up. I mean, if I get more than 20 that would be great. And I’m hoping I can do this every year for the kids," said Velazquez. "The 12 kids that I have, they are really excited."

Tables and tablecloths will be provided the day of the event, but beyond that, kids are encouraged to get creative and decorate their table and display their products however they wish. Additionally, Velazquez said the kids will be responsible for running their tables and selling their products. Parents can be there as well, to help when needed.

Several local businesses and organizations have also gotten involved. Perkins School of the Arts will be attending with information on their dance programs; The Place will have a table with information and an activity for the kids; Sidney Federal Credit Union will be bringing educational materials and activities to teach kids about financial literacy; Kutik's will have a display to teach kids about bees; and Curtis Lumber supported the event by providing the location.

"They were really nice, and they loved the idea ... They’re going to help me put everything together," said Velazquez. "I feel like all the organizations I’ve reached out to for this idea, they’ve been really helpful and really wanted to do it, because nobody does something like this for the kids around here."

Any other businesses or organizations that would like to get involved can do so by contacting Velazquez at 607-373-7104.