If you’ve ever watched your child line up stuffed animals and “sell” them, or make bracelets for the neighborhood, or insist on charging you for lemonade you just bought the ingredients for… you’ve seen the spark.

Some kids just have it.

They’re curious. They’re creative. They want to build something. They want to sell something. They want to see what happens when someone hands them money and says, “I’ll take one.”

Kids Market exists for those kids.

Founded by Kelly Gersonde and Regina Hord, Kids Market is a platform for young entrepreneurs ages 7 to 17 to launch real businesses in real market environments. Not pretend businesses. Not simulations. Not classroom exercises. Real tables. Real customers. Real money.

And it’s happening right here in and around our North Tampa footprint.

You’ll find Kids Market at established Tampa Bay Markets locations in Trinity, Carrollwood, Wiregrass, Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes, and throughout the greater Tampa area. They also participate in markets deeper into Tampa and Pinellas County, which gives kids exposure to a wider customer base while staying rooted in our local community.

What makes Kids Market different is structure.

Before a child ever sets up a table, they submit a business plan. That alone changes the entire tone. This is not just a “show up and see what happens” experience. It’s intentional.

For older kids who may have taken a business class or already started selling on their own, they can submit an existing plan. For younger entrepreneurs, Kids Market offers a self-guided business course designed specifically for kids. It walks them through key fundamentals:

In other words, they’re learning margins before middle school.

Kelly brings over 15 years of business experience to this program, including marketing strategy, business development, sponsorship acquisition, and strategic partnerships. She holds a marketing degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and has worked with both established companies and grassroots initiatives to build visibility and sustainable growth.

Regina brings hands-on experience with over 13 years of operating a franchise and growing community-driven businesses. With strong connections across Tampa’s local business and nonprofit communities, she helps open doors and build partnerships that support the Kids Market mission throughout the region. Regina holds a business degree from the University of South Florida (Go Bulls) and is a mom of two boys.

That experience shows up in the details. Kids Market isn’t just cute. It’s thoughtfully built.

At the markets themselves, the kids are positioned alongside adult vendors. They are not tucked away in a corner labeled “children’s section.” They’re operating in the same ecosystem as small business owners, food vendors, artisans, and makers.

Parents are required to attend, but they’re encouraged to step back. The kids run the table. They pitch. They explain their product. They take payment. They answer questions.

If you’ve ever watched a shy 8-year-old find their voice after four hours of selling their own handmade product, you understand why this matters.

And they are not just handing things out.

These young entrepreneurs are rolling their own pasta and packaging it. Designing artwork. Baking oversized decorated cookies. Making jewelry. Crocheting. Woodworking. Creating infused lemonades. Crafting dog treats. Some build repeat customers. Some sell out. Some refine their product between markets and come back stronger the next month.

Hundreds of kids have already participated.

The impact goes beyond sales. Participants walk away with:

Many return for multiple markets, refining their branding, improving their pricing, adjusting their displays, and setting bigger goals.

In a world where innovation and self-starting spirit matter more than ever, Kids Market is offering kids a head start. Not just in business, but in life.

There’s also something important about the environment itself. Many of these markets are outdoor, family-friendly, and often dog-friendly. They feel like community gatherings. You’ll see strollers, grandparents, local shoppers, and yes, dogs walking past a 10-year-old confidently explaining why their handmade bracelets are better than the ones at the mall.

The barrier to entry is intentionally low. There is a small table fee, and the process to join is straightforward. It’s accessible. A child with an idea can actually test it.

That accessibility matters. Entrepreneurship should not feel exclusive. It should feel possible.

The partnership with Tampa Bay Markets has also been instrumental. Being integrated into established markets gives these young entrepreneurs real foot traffic and credibility. It also reinforces that this is a legitimate part of the small business community, not just a novelty.

For parents, this program is more than a weekend activity.

It’s a teaching tool.

It’s a way to let your child experience what happens when preparation meets opportunity. It’s a safe place to let them fail a little, adjust, and try again. It’s a structured environment where confidence can grow naturally.

And maybe most importantly, it shifts something internally for the child. When a kid earns money from something they created, something changes. They begin to see themselves differently.

Kelly often talks about investing in potential. That’s exactly what this is.

It’s also worth noting that Kids Market has been around a little longer than North Tampa Buzz. They’ve already built momentum. They’re expanding. They’re adding new pop-ups. They’re planning additional initiatives through the remainder of the year and into next.

The demand is there. The community support is there.

And frankly, this fits our area beautifully.

North Tampa is full of families who value initiative, hard work, and creativity. We have parents who want their kids outside, engaged, building real skills. We have markets that already bring people together on weekends. Kids Market layers into that ecosystem seamlessly.

Even if your child isn’t selling, supporting these young entrepreneurs matters. Next time you’re at a market in Trinity, Carrollwood, Wiregrass, or Wesley Chapel, look for the Kids Market section. Buy the cookie. Try the lemonade. Ask the kid about their business plan.

You’re not just buying a product.

You’re reinforcing confidence.

And if your child is the one constantly making things, brainstorming ideas, and asking how to sell them, this might be the perfect place to start.

Because sometimes that spark just needs a table, a tent, and a chance.