Kids learn business skills through young entrepreneurs market
Expanded to five markets this season, young local entrepreneurs sell their wares, sock away money, and give back to charities
Kier Carmichael, 10, has made $500 selling lemonade and popcorn. Photo by Annie Means.
Aug. 10, 2026
By Annie Means
On a rainy Saturday morning, Maine’s Young Entrepreneur Market held its fourth farmer’s market of the year at Castine’s Emerson Hall. Children from Castine and as far away as Mount Desert Island filled the corridors of the town’s municipal building to sell handmade crafts, baked goods, artwork, and homegrown products, all while practicing worthwhile business skills.
“It’s a great thing to learn these skills early,” said Kate Kana, the organizer of the Aug. 8 event, who is also a small business owner and professor at Maine Maritime Academy. [Full disclosure: Kana serves on the board of The Rising Tide.]
Through selling their wares, the market’s young entrepreneurs practice their math skills when making change, establish the basic tenets of saving, and learn how to confidently talk to adults.
“The more I talk to customers, the less shy I’ve gotten,” said Sydney, a young entrepreneur who chose not to share her last name or age.
Sydney has been a participating member of the market since last year. Using her family’s freeze-dryer, she sells freeze-dried candy. She came up with the idea for the business as a means to make candy more enjoyable for herself. As someone with braces, she finds freeze-dried candy far easier to eat in that form.
Belle Gouphee, 13, with her display of crocheted amimals. Photo by Annie Means.
Last year, her business earned her $100, which she put into savings. This year, she plans to donate her proceeds to the Hatch Community Youth Fund, an organization that enables young people on the Blue Hill Peninsula to access recreational activities like kayaking, horseback riding, hiking, and more.
Kier Carmichael, 10, also donates part of his proceeds to charity. His popcorn and lemonade sales have earned him over $500, part of which will be donated to the Red Door Animal Shelter. Carmichael and his family adopted their pet rabbits from the no-kill shelter, and he sought to use his proceeds to give back to the community.
Carmichael said his favorite part of the market is the autonomy it brings to young business owners.
“I get to run my own business,” he said.
Another young entrepreneur, Belle Gouphee, age 13, sold her crocheted creations of frogs, octopi, mice, and dinosaurs. Gouphee is involved in a number of craft markets outside of the Maine’s Young Entrepreneur Market, and makes a point to attend as many different markets as she can. She has even done commission work, as word of mouth spreads about her yarn creatures.
“It feels rewarding,” she remarked on her business’s growth.
Homemade freeze-dried candy for sale at the Aug. 8 market in Castine. Photo by Annie Means.
This is only the market's second year.
“We started last year in Castine, with the kids selling things in their driveway,” Kana said.
The event largely formalized from a push from the kids themselves who, in 2025, proposed a formal market to the town of Castine. Since then, the market has expanded to host over 50 unique booths and a total of five markets across the Blue Hill Peninsula in 2026.
The next and final entrepreneur’s market of the season will be held at the Blue Hill YMCA on Aug. 29. For all the young entrepreneurs out there, there is still time to participate; find more information on Maine’s Young Entrepreneur Market’s website. The event is free and open to the public. Most booths only accept cash, so come prepared with small bills.
The organization is also looking for community sponsors to help expand how young entrepreneurs can enhance their saving and business skills. For more information on participating, email mainesyouthmarket@gmail.com.
