DO I NEED TO HAVE A PRODUCT IDEA ALREADY?
No, you do not need to already know what you’re going to sell, but I bet you have some ideas to explore. On the other hand, some girls WILL already have some of their product already on hand and will use this course to learn and practice business, selling, communication, nitty gritty financial literacy and time-management skills. Our first class is all about the creative process: brainstorming product ideas and goal setting. After this first meeting, expect your girl to know what she is capable of creating and mass producing in time for a Maker's Market to be held in April at Maxima in Arlington. (Once you have your product created, you may find other selling opportunities or holiday fairs to sign up for…and you’ll be ready for them!)
WHAT ARE THE MEETING DETAILS?
We will meet 4 times before “launching" your business and do one Zoom call to de-brief after your first market/fair (it’s important to assess your approach to selling to see what lessons you can learn for the next time). Each meeting will last 1 hour and will consist mostly of hands on instruction. For example, we will plan a budget and create a materials list, but each girl will be responsible for sourcing materials and experimenting with and finalizing her product for sale. There may be an open workshop meeting, mostly to get experience with things like styling and taking product photos and practicing setting up your table and “selling” to each other. All meetings will be held in a spacious private space at Maxima Hive (within Maxima Bookshop & Gift Center) in Arlington. There is a private entrance. This is a drop-off class but feel free to stick around if you’d like to get a feel for what we’re doing.
WHAT ARE DETAILS ABOUT THE MARKETS?
This class will prepare you to showcase and sell your products as your new business at a wellgirl-hosted Girl-Made Market. Selling at the market is optional and if the date doesn’t work out, know I’m always on the look out for other opportunities for girls to sell their items, and there’s lots! Girls/parents are responsible for making/taking payments (cash, Venmo, credit card reader, etc) and sharing any contact or communication profiles/email addresses.
CAN WE PARTNER UP FOR A BUSINESS?
Absolutely! We had several successful partnership businesses in past sessions. For class enrollment purposes, I ask each girl be signed up individually. You can follow up with an email telling me about the partnership.
A NOTE ABOUT MATERIALS COST:
In order to create your products, you’ll need to source and pay for materials. The materials cost is based on your individual product creation needs and how easily it is to source the amount you need (some girls have upcycled found items or reused supplies from around the house). Each girl is responsible for their own materials budget and fulfillment, but expect to spend at least $50 on materials to produce your goods for sale. Keep in mind that each business will have a table at the market that will need display and presentation considerations (tablecloth, signs, display props). In class, we’ll brainstorm resourceful ways to attain materials or raise money to cut the cost (for parents).
WHO IS TEACHING THIS CLASS?
Some of you may already know me, but for those who do not, my name is Rebecca Saraceno. I’m a local Waltham mom and the founder and girl mentor here at wellgirl. wellgirl offers programs and products to inspire, support & empower girls, from the inside out. I’ve been a sole proprietor for a number of hand-craft businesses over the past 20 years: print and book design (I also know how to print on a letterpress!) jewelry making and stationery products. I’ve also been a print design teacher at Emerson College, have a couple years of homeschool teaching and curriculum creation experience, and am the troop leader for our local Cadette Girl Scouts (going on our 7th year together!). Over the past year of teaching this class, my children have participated and also created small businesses: Emilia, age 11, her business is Petite Treats and she makes baked goods and little “treats” and Luca, age 8, who created the business Sports Boys, selling his sports player drawings alongside his friend Enzo who makes fresh lemonade. I thank my Mom for my craftiness and my Dad for the willingness to make a difference through reaching out and teaching. wellgirl has hosted 6 in-person Girl-Made markets, 3 online markets, had a Girl-Made display of products for sale at a local boutique and in the past year, taught this class to over 20 students, creating 15 new businesses!!
