Calling young entrepreneurs to be part of Y-shop

Registrations are now open for creative young people, aged between 10 and 25 years, to set up a Y-shop at libraries across the region this summer.

Community Programs Portfolio Councillor Jenny McKay said the Y-shop program is an exciting opportunity for young people who create original craft, artwork or a service to set up shop at one of the Coast’s libraries.

“Council provides the venue, mentoring and promotion of the Y-shop all for free,” Cr McKay said.

“With exposure to over 140,000 library members, that is a large captive audience just waiting to discover the creative talent of our local young people.

“Previous Y-shop vendors have gone onto even bigger ventures, like trading at large markets in Brisbane, publishing a book, being invited to showcase their business at the annual Sunshine Coast Business Expo and building popular Facebook businesses.

“Y-shops will be open every Saturday morning in each of the region’s libraries from 9.30am to 11.30am over the summer holiday peiord starting on November 29 until December 20.

“In addition, every participant in the Y-shop program will have the chance to apply for one of 12 ‘scholarshops’ to Eumundi Markets and to be mentored by world-class marketers."

The ‘scholarshop’ includes the amazing opportunity for the successful applicants to have their own free stand for one Saturday in January to promote their product to thousands of people who attend the popular Eumundi markets.

Interested young adults are asked to complete a registration of interest form by November 11 and provide a sample or photo of their original work. Selected successful participants will be notified by November 15 and be invited to be part of the fourth annual Y-shop.

Further information and registration of interest forms are available at any Sunshine Coast Council library branch or by visiting Council’s library website.