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Harley Bodell, left, and Charlee Linton, right, run a business at the Children's Entrepreneur Market in Lehi on Saturday, July 20, 2024.

Curtis Booker, Daily Herald

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Claire Johansen talks with customers at a booth during the Children's Entrepreneur Market in Lehi on Saturday, July 20, 2024.

Curtis Booker, Daily Herald

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A sign advertises freeze-dried candy, a business operated by 7-year-old Juliet Carter, during the Children's Entrepreneur Market in Lehi on Saturday, July 20, 2024.

Curtis Booker, Daily Herald

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An A-frame sign directs customers into the Children's Entrepreneur Market in Lehi on Saturday, July 20, 2024.

Curtis Booker, Daily Herald

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Dozens of booths at the Children's Entrepreneur Market in Lehi are pictured Saturday, July 20, 2024.

Curtis Booker, Daily Herald

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With Utah kids more than midway through summer vacation, some are learning valuable lessons about what it takes to operate a business.

The Children’s Entrepreneur Market gives business-minded kids ages 5 to 17 real-life experience in entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership in a farmers market-esque setting.

“The kids have to do the transactions, they have to do the interaction, they have to sell the goods and the parents just have to observe,” said Lauren Higham, Salt Lake City manager for Children’s Entrepreneur Market.

The program started in Utah in 2017 and has since expanded to 26 states across the country.

The markets have been popping up across the state, and on Saturday, it made its first stop in Lehi. From handmade crochets to homemade cookies, around 50 booths with young business entrepreneurs filled the splash pad area at Ivory Ridge Park.

Two young friends who shared a somewhat similar vision operated individually but under one booth selling bracelets, charms and beaded items, called Harley’s Charms and Charlee’s Charms.

“So these girls have created jewelry and bead animals that they’ve made themselves,” Harley’s mother, Jen Bodell, said.

It’s their first time participating in the entrepreneur market, and Bodell said it was exciting to watch both girls come up with their own ideas, learn how to use Venmo for transactions and gain courage to interact with customers.

For Harley, 9, it was a fun experience that gave her a chance to earn her money and spend time with her friend Charlee Linton.

Charlee has a much different inspiration behind her business. Megan Linton, Charlee’s mother, said her daughter is allergic to metals, so she made earrings that are made out of plastic for people with the same allergy.

“That’s how she got started doing this. … She saw a need for it,” Megan Linton told the Daily Herald. “And there’s other friends in the neighborhood … that she knows that also have metal allergies and so the plastic works for them as well.”

For Charlee, it’s a relief to be able to use her creativity to have something she wants.

“It feels so nice because now I am not left out (wearing) all the earrings, because I love earrings,” Charlee said.

Devin Johansen and his two daughters made the trek from Logan to Lehi for the entrepreneur market.

His 10-year-old runs Claire-Bear Creates, selling a variety of items from 3D printing materials to keychains and bracelets, as well as fresh farm eggs and rock candy.

“First, I started with doing bracelets and earrings, but I got more creative and did things that I knew other people wouldn’t (sell) so people would be more interested in it,” Claire said.

One of the biggest lessons she’s learned is having confidence when customers are around: “To be open around people, say what you’re selling, and to always be friendly and not just be like, ‘hi,’ and like stand around,” Claire explained.

Her younger sister Cierra, just one table over, sold Italian sodas and slime.

Devin Johansen said they’ve done several markets now and he’s proud of both of his daughters for showing interest in entrepreneurship at such young ages.

“It’s good to see because … they’re hardworking and they’re wanting to be successful. And (to) kind of start young, I think, is good,” Johansen said.

Higham says the Children’s Entrepreneur Market prides itself on teaching the youth important life skills, how to interact with adults and problem solving.

With the program making its way halfway across the United States, Higham said the goal is to be in all 50 states by 2026.

“I think people see us online and see what we’re doing and realize that it’s really good for their community and they want to bring it to their community,” Higham said.

The Children’s Entrepreneur Market has made multiple Utah County stops this summer. An Eagle Mountain market is planned for Sept. 7 at Cory Wride Park.

“Come join us; it’s fun. I don’t think anybody will regret it and it’s affordable,” Higham said.