Learning how to start a business is a challenge. Gaining visibility is another. Marketing costs money. But then again, so do products, licenses and tools.
Village Launch, a subsidiary of Mill Village Ministries, works to aid new businesses in this process through its Business Entrepreneur Academy. The program is situated in the Village of West Greenville, home of the Village Launch Market.
A significant emphasis of the market is to bring exposure for graduates of the BEA, but it also holds spots for other small businesses.
The market began as a Third Thursday event in 2021, moving to first Saturdays in May 2023 with a change of venue from Poe West to West Greenville Plaza.
Jeanette Brewster, Village Launch’s program director, said the move was to increase foot traffic to the market but also to work with other businesses on Pendleton Street. With the event more visible on the road, it could bring more foot traffic to the West Village.
Brewster and Mill Village Ministries Executive Director Dan Weidenbenner created the event as both a launching pad for new entrepreneurs and a fun occasion for the community as it hosts live music and food vendors.
Some of entrepreneurs who participated in previous years include:
- Dr. Walt’s Company, a plant-based skin-care business.
- The African Violet LLC, a business centered on self-care with an emphasis on teas.
- BK Glossy, a lip-gloss company started by two young friends.
- Nose Dive Aromas, a paraben and phthalate-free candle retailer.
Brewster said the market helps to boost sales for participating businesses.
“Just moving it from Poe West to where we are now on Pendleton Steet, they saw a huge increase in sales last year as well,” she said, explaining that patrons will often place bulk orders with participants with repeat customers coming to the market to replenish their stock of products offered by vendors. Some are even asked to participate in other markets.
Village Launch Market will be back May through December from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month.
