Temora's budding entrepreneurs are ready for the next YOUth-Made Market

Temora Youth program initiative, the YOUth-Made Market, is back for another round to assist young entrepreneurs with launching their own businesses through a support network of local experts and mentors.

The next market day will be Saturday 15 October, from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Fed & Bed Courtyard.

Temora Shire Council youth development officer Sheree Elwin said she had seen some young people launch very successful enterprises in the earlier rounds of the YOUth-Made Market.

“Ideas for business can be about anything – babysitting, selling handmade products like home decor or jewellery, food, dog walking, plants, busking, homegrown herbs and vegetables, upcycled items, or other products or services,” she said.

“What makes this program so successful is the connection the young people make with local experts as mentors.”

“Mentors for the program include people from the Temora Shire business community who can share their knowledge in financial literacy, marketing, product display, customer service, business strategy and self-care.”

The YOUth-Made Market program was kicked off last year and funded by the Department of Community and Justice. The program is free and open to people aged between 10 and 24.

Ms Elwin said through the funding, the council was able to run five workshops that focused on building the young people’s skills in financial literacy, marketing, customer service, engaging with customers in the social media space and basic business skills.

“After the workshops, we held an actual market day for two days … it was held in the old Target building as it was empty,” Ms Elwin said.

“We had about 14 young people kick off their business.”

“It was a big day. We started around midday and finished around 6 pm,” she said.

Ms Elwin said through the grant, a small amount in startup funding was given to the children to help them buy supplies, business cards, banners and materials for their businesses.

Ms Elwin said since the first successful round, a second round was held in September which had 12 children kick off their businesses. The second round was funded by the council.

Temora Business Enterprise Group (TBEG) invited the young people to be part of the Christmas fair where YOUth-Made Market had 11 stallholders.

The 2022 version of the program kicked off in late August with 11 businesses participating in the program and will be ready for the market day on Saturday 15 October.

The youth development officer said it was important to offer a range of opportunities for young people to feel connected to their community.

“Running this sort of program offers the kids (whether they are involved in other community groups or not) opportunities and another avenue to feel as though they’re part of the Temora community and feel as though they’re valued.”

“We also see the kids develop their confidence being part of the program.

“The program is about building their sense of value in the community and also giving them the confidence to do something new and to try something new.

“And it’s not just about the kids making money, it is also about them really stepping out of their comfort zone, putting themselves out there.”

She said the Temora community had embraced the program and had been very supportive towards the young people who participated in it.

“We get a fantastic turnout at all of our YOUth-Made Market events,” she said.

Ms Elwin said the market day also gave the youth hospitality team from Platform Y an opportunity to hold a ‘Platform Y Cafe’.

“We’ve raised money and bought a new coffee machine. These markets help us put some funds back into our youth program.”