The Power of Starting Young: Student Entrepreneurs at the Farmers Market

Young people across Nashville are getting their hands dirty at farmers markets. It can be hard not to marvel at a young mom or fresh-out-of-college greenbean stand proudly with their product, although, maybe it really isn’t all that surprising given how fast the world moves nowadays. High schoolers, though? Now that’s something you don’t see every day.

When you stroll through the Nolensville Farmers Market on a Saturday morning, amidst the fresh produce and artisanal goods, you'll hardly believe your eyes at the sight of bright, enthusiastic young faces behind several of the booths. And when I say young, I mean young. These high school-student entrepreneurs represent the future of our local economy and embody the community-focused mission that Dr. Miro Bandalo and the WilCo Events Board have championed since our founding. Keep reading to hear what makes creating space for young people to try their hand at starting and running a small business so empowering and important to us!

From Classroom to Market: The Entrepreneur Innovation Center Connection

Many of our youngest vendors are participants in Nolensville High School's remarkable Entrepreneur Innovation Center, where market manager Kaylee is a student. This specialized program—which students must apply for—becomes part of their daily academic schedule, allowing them to leave campus and drive to a dedicated facility focused entirely on business development. Unlike theoretical business classes, the Innovation Center challenges students to launch actual enterprises, guiding them through ideation, problem-solving, and budgeting real ventures. 

Kaylee giving a presentation on her business model for “The Hustle Generation” Podcast

The program's impact is evident in success stories like Kaylee, who has already launched two businesses, including a farmers market merchandise line complete with website, online sales, and presence at multiple markets and events. This year, she's expanding her entrepreneurial portfolio with "The Hustle Generation" podcast, where she interviews both youth-led businesses and adults who began their business journeys at a young age. Recognizing the educational value these experiences provide, the Nolensville Farmers Market offers discounted vendor spaces specifically for student entrepreneurs, creating an accessible entry point to real-world business experience while enhancing the diverse, community-focused atmosphere that makes our markets special.

Why Supporting Young Entrepreneurs Matters to Our Community

Traditional classrooms can only teach you so much! At our markets, these young vendors learn to engage with customers, manage inventory, handle money, adapt to weather conditions, and solve problems on the fly—all crucial skills that benefit them in school, future careers, and everyday life. Perhaps most importantly in an increasingly digital world, markets provide young folks with a space to connect with customers and community members face-to-face! 

What makes the Nolensville and Westhaven Farmers Markets unique is the tight-knit relationship between our managers and vendors. For student entrepreneurs, this means having a built-in support system of experienced business owners who offer guidance, share wisdom, and create a nurturing environment for growth. This mentorship aspect is something you simply won't find at chain grocery stores or larger commercial venues.

Meet Our Young Market Makers

Our farmers markets proudly support a diverse group of student entrepreneurs. Here are some of the inspiring young business owners you'll find at our weekly events:

119 Jewelry – Sara’s delightfully dainty pieces don’t tarnish! This student-run business offers stylish and unique jewelry pieces that are handcrafted with care

A taste of 119 jewelry’s extensive selection!

Kaylee's Lemonade – A classic favorite, Kaylee’s Lemonade is a hit at the market! Made with fresh ingredients and a lot of love!

Kaylee’s early days as a 7-year-old hustler, so cute!!

Kopelyn's Kreations – Kopelyn creates beautiful, handcrafted creations that add a personal touch to anything.

Kopelyn’s custom accessories make the perfect gift!

Friendship Candles – This student business offers hand-poured candles in delightful scents, perfect for gifts or adding a cozy touch to any home.

Friendship candles have the yummiest scents

Clarity Candles – This business specializes in hand-poured candles made with a unique clear wax, giving them a modern look.

enjoy a clean scent experience!

Brentwood Candle Company – This student-owned business creates high-quality, handcrafted candles in a variety of unique scents.

Brentwood candle co. is introducing crackling wooden wicks!

How You Can Support Young Entrepreneurs

The benefits these young entrepreneurs receive extend far beyond the money they earn. We've watched shy teenagers transform into confident public speakers. We've seen students struggling in traditional academic subjects discover talents for design, marketing, or finance.

When you purchase from student vendors at our WilCo Events markets, you're doing more than buying a product—you're investing in a young person's education and future. Here's how you can support these inspiring young business owners:

• Visit their booths and take time to hear their stories

• Provide constructive feedback that helps them improve

• Spread the word about their businesses on social media

• Connect them with resources or opportunities you know about

• Return regularly to see how their products evolve

For many of these students, a simple conversation with a customer can spark new ideas or provide motivation to continue developing their businesses.

Joining the Next Generation of Vendors

If you're a student in Williamson County with an entrepreneurial spark, we welcome you to consider becoming a vendor at one of our markets! To apply, visit our website or come to the Nolensville farmers market at the historic Nolensville School on Saturdays from 9am-noon (8am-noon in the summer) to speak with a market manager. We particularly encourage applications from high school and college students looking to turn their passion into a business while connecting with the Nolensville and Westhaven communities.

A Community That Supports Young Dreams

The tight-knit community that forms around our farmers markets is precisely what makes them different from other shopping experiences. When you become a regular market visitor, you become part of these young entrepreneurs' journeys—watching them grow, improve their products, and develop as business owners week after week.

As Dr. Bandalo envisioned when he first established our market, food isn't just sustenance—it's connection. And through the booths of our student entrepreneurs, that connection extends to the next generation of local business owners who will shape the future of Nolensville, Westhaven, and all of Williamson County.

Visit us this Saturday at the Nolensville Farmers Market to meet these inspiring young entrepreneurs in person. Your support today helps build a stronger local economy tomorrow!