Page 11 - Market Times October 2024

MEET THE YOUNG TRADER NATIONAL FINALISTS 2024 11
ANTHONY JOHNSON AJ THE CONFECTIONIST
EMILY ROBERTS
THE WELSH MALLOW CO.
NAOMI WINDSOR PLANT BROWNIES
MILLI MASON MASON’S CREATIONS
CHLOE BESWICK BAKED BY CHLOE
JESS LORD
THE POSSIBLE KITCHEN
SARAH GRIFFIN GARDEN TO JAR
SHAKHLO MIRJONOVA YUMMIES BAKE HOUSE & PAHTAGUL
THAILA DA COSTA DYMOND TRAYBAKES
Future young traders find their feet at Stratford final
ALONGSIDE the dozens of young traders aged 16 to 30 competing for the coveted title of the NMTF’s Young Trader of 2024 were a handful of children under 16 who are already carving out a career path on markets across the country.
Although they will not be old enough to take part in the initiative for a year or two, Massimo Hewitt, 13, Yasmin Lodal, 15, Rhianna Connors, 14, and youngsters from Hope, a Hackney based youth project, were invited to set up stall to sell their home-made products and to fly the flag for child entrepreneurs.
For Yasmin, who suffers from a number of illnesses and uses a wheelchair, it was a second bite at the cherry after trading at last year’s event.
Yasmin began crocheting as a creative
outlet. Now she sells a range of beautiful hand crocheted soft toys and decorationa online and at craft and youth markets. “I found I really enjoyed crochet, and I have been able to sell online on sites like Etsy and at local craft and youth markets,” she said.
Massimo, who runs a business called Massimo’s Resin Tastic, uses moulds to create resin figures which he now sells at fairs and markets near his home in St Albans.
“In lockdown me, my mum and my brother started making resin models to keep us occupied,” he said.
“Then we had an enterprise day at school and I suggested doing something with the figures.
“My friends said they were so cool we should sell them,” he added. And Resin Tastic was born.
Rhianna from Swansea has already enjoyed success displaying her handmade jewellery and sewing items at the London Festival Fashion Show and an art gallery in Neath.
“I learned dress making and found I enjoyed it, and it has gone on from there,” Rhianna said.
Finally, youngsters from Hope, a Hackney youth social enterprise, returned to the Stratford-upon-Avon event to sell and showcase their handmade items including soap and skin products.
At the certificates presentation ceremony NMTF CEO Joe Harrison said they were a great example of entrepreneurship at a very young age and he looked forward to seeing them take part in the main event when they were old enough.
MASSIMO HEWITT
The HOPE team: led by Nicolette Nixon included, from left to right, Gabby Paul-Brown, Chyna Browne and Dior Paul-Brown
YASMIN LODAL
RHIANNA CONNORS