Suzanna the Entrepreneuse

Marketplace for Kids is a program in ND to encourage the spirit of entrepreneurship among young people in the state (its motto: "Growing Young Entrepreneurs!"). Suzanna's grade (fourth) at her elementary school participated in the regional Marketplace today, and because it was held at Dickinson State University, I was able to see her and her partner with their invention on display for the public over my noon dinner break. I was very proud!!

Here's the little dear herself with an explanation of the experience and the invention that she and her partner, McKenzie, created:

Our invention was Tidy Baby, a diaper bag organizer with different compartments in it to separate one's cell phone and car keys, the baby's diapers, rattles, a bottle and formula, and a clean change of clothes. It was a very fun experience to get to invent something that we thought would help the world in one way or another. Working with McKenzie was great fun, although we had a couple arguments on how we were going to make it. Finally we figured out something, and in our opinion it was pretty cool.

The day of Marketplace was very, very fun . . . and stressful at the same time! We didn't know what we were going to say when people came to our display. We had a couple classes in the morning (one on meth and a presentation from Gary Greff, the guy who made The Enchanted Highway). Then, at 11:00 A.M., we had dinner: a sub sandwich, carrots, chips, fruit snacks, and a bottle of water. It was delicious! Then, at 11:30 A.M., we had to stand beside our display while people from the community came in and looked at all our inventions. Soon a woman came along and handed us ribbons for participating in--and putting so much hard work into--Marketplace for Kids.

In the afternoon we went to another class (on parasites). It was kind of gross! After that, we went to Dorothy Stickney Auditorium for a closing presentation. My day at Marketplace was amazing, and I'd love to relive it!