At Queen’s University, a pop-up market brought together female entrepreneurs to showcase their local artistry and craft. The event, known as the Goodes Hall Spring Pop-Up, featured nearly a dozen stalls of all-women or women-led startups selling products from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The market was hosted in partnership with the Smith School of Business’ Women in Leadership Club and the All-Women Entrepreneurship Circuit. Judy Stephenson, the president of the Women in Leadership club, expressed a desire to host similar events in the future, citing the success of this one as a positive sign.
Stephenson highlighted the importance of providing women with the opportunity to gain exposure for their products and craft. She emphasized that the event was not just about sales, but also about giving back to the community and putting business learning into practice for the benefit of all involved. For artist Rowynee Grand, who recently moved to Kingston from Toronto, the market provided a valuable platform to showcase her 2D art and hand-painted wooden art. She expressed her desire to expand her art-selling business and participate in more markets in the future, considering the All Women Entrepreneurship Circuit as a great place to start.
The event received positive feedback, with a strong turnout and steady showing throughout the day. Stephenson expressed her satisfaction with the success of the market, noting that it was the first of its size that the club had hosted. She expressed hopes of running more similar events throughout the year to continue supporting and showcasing female entrepreneurs in the community. The partnership with the All-Women Entrepreneurship Circuit also provided additional resources and networking opportunities for the participating women-led businesses.
Overall, the Goodes Hall Spring Pop-Up at Queen’s University was a successful celebration of female entrepreneurship and local artistry. The event provided a platform for women to showcase their products and gain exposure in the Kingston market. It also offered networking opportunities and resources for women-led startups to further their businesses. The positive feedback and strong turnout demonstrated the value of supporting and empowering female entrepreneurs in the community. With plans to host more events in the future, the Women in Leadership club at Queen’s University is committed to continuing to provide opportunities for women to thrive in the business world.
