Entrepreneurship from young people both within and outside the markets sector was held up at the NABMA conference as the best way for industry to thrive in future.
Make Your Mark national winner Matthew Crawford was praised for his forward-thinking outlook, which scooped him the award and £1,500 funding for his Caribbean food stall held on Lower Marsh, Canterbury and Gillingham markets.
He came to the trade when he was made redundant and took to researching market stallholding online.
Crawford said: “Once I had set up, we made a profit straight away and as part of the competition, I got 10 free days on Gillingham market and the company went from strength to strength and once we won the £1,500 funding, we were able to expand the business straight away.”
The resulting coverage from BBC Working Lunch, The Daily Telegraph and The Voice to name a few, has given the firm an additional boost.
NABMA chief executive Graham Wilson said: “We are desperately hoping that Matthew is indicative of a new breed of market traders that we ca attract to the industry and we hope to repeat the campaign next year.”
Earlier in the day, The Apprentice finalist and Make Your Mark ambassador Claire Young shared her experiences and showed that hard work and tenacity can get results.
She talked NABMA members through her career to date, starting with her graduate scheme at L’Oreal where she handled an £18 million marketing budget, through her stints at Colgate-Palmolive and at retail chain Superdrug, before her appearance on the Sir Alan Sugar’s BBC1 show.
The 30-year-old lost to Lee McQueen in the final, which was watched by 11m people. She has since set to two businesses, Elegant Venues and Insp!re People Development, showing the kind of resilience needed by new traders coming into the markets business.
Young said: “Someone once asked me if I was a leaking bucket; if I was pouring in money and time and not getting anything back? That has really stuck with me and it applies to everyone, markets being a good example.
“But the message is not to give up. Since I have started my businesses, I have faced so many challenges - but I wake up every day and think about what I can achieve that day. It is all about your attitude and how passionate you are, being tenacious and never giving up.”
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