Sparking curiosity, building confidence: Pop-up shop to feature local young women entrepreneurs

What’s happening: Four young Blue Water Area entrepreneurs will be showcasing their burgeoning businesses this Saturday, Dec. 18, at a pop-up event at The Closet by A Beautiful Me in downtown Port Huron. The event, Girl Entrepreneurs’ Pop-UP Shop, features young women and their businesses as the A Beautiful Me organization seeks to lift them up by developing their leadership skills, self-esteem, personal growth, and more — and all through entrepreneurship.

Who’s behind it: The event is organized by the nonprofit organization A Beautiful Me, a group focused on developing self-worth and confidence in women of all ages. The group is especially dedicated to young women, with most of its programming geared to girls in 3rd through 12th grades. One way it does so is through entrepreneurship; their retail storefront The Closet is a hands-on laboratory for learning entrepreneurship skills.

[Read more: A Beautiful Me finds ways to foster self-worth and community connection, especially among girls.]

Why it’s important: “Did you hear? Curiosity doesn’t kill the cat! As we try new things, or do something we know in a different way, then our curiosity sparks. This triggers us to think creatively and discover how improvement can happen,” says Karen Palka, executive director of A Beautiful Me. “Doing something we’ve never done before also builds confidence. By giving girl entrepreneurs the space to sell their business product, they can discover growth opportunities.”

What to expect: The Girl Entrepreneurs’ Pop-UP Shop runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Closet by A Beautiful Me in downtown Port Huron. Complimentary fresh-popped popcorn is also planned.

As for the shops themselves: Two-time entrepreneur, actor, singer, and artist Marisa Nahas will be on hand with her original jewelry business Two Peace. So will Ruby Walker, the creator of artistic edible cookie and hot cocoa bomb bakery Boo Bakes with Love; Walker has used past proceeds from her sales as donations to both A Beautiful Me and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Ashlyn Smith’s Joyful Designs, a home decorating start-up, will be there. Finally it’s Abby Mitchell, the creator of Made by May Bird and a crafty maker of crocheted critters and gifts; Mitchell participates in the emerge360 business training program offered at The Closet by A Beautiful Me.

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