Have you ever heard of, or more importantly tasted, “street corn?” Do you know how this Hispanic delicacy got its name?

What about ‘Otai – did we all know that’s a fruity, Polynesian drink, normally containing mango, pineapple, shredded coconut and the like?

“Fidget fireflies” are among the dozens of foods and doodads sold during the Children’s Entrepreneur Market in Taylorsville. (Carl Fauver/City Journals)

Or, how about a “fidget firefly?” Even our friends at Google are hard-pressed to explain what that is. But you can buy one. Or, actually, you “could have” bought one. But there’s always next year’s Children’s Entrepreneur Market, in Taylorsville.

“These kids are just amazing; they are such good sales people,” Mayor Kristie Overson said. “They are so knowledgeable – so bright – and they have their sales pitch down to a science. I can’t wait to have the Children’s Entrepreneur Market back for one of our Starry Nights next year. I think we are building a great tradition.”

This past Starry Nights @ the Plaza was the fourth season for the weekly evening activity, and the second year to host the Children’s Entrepreneur Market on one of the nights. Sixty sales booths were in operation on Centennial Plaza. And, the market’s Salt Lake Area Manager Sarah Hansen reports, six or seven of those booths were operated by kids who live in Taylorsville.

One Taylorsville mom and her three kids offered a variety of culinary treats at the Children’s Entrepreneur Market, through their business “Los Deliciosis.” (Carl Fauver/City Journals)

“Throughout our entire Children’s Entrepreneur Market season, we hold about 16 markets all throughout the Salt Lake Valley,” Hansen said. “Our markets vary in size, depending on how much space is available at the venue. We’ve done a couple with more than 100 booths. We decided last year, 60 was about the right number of sales booths for Centennial Plaza. We charge $25 for a family to operate their booth – and then each family keeps 100% of what they make. I know our 60 Taylorsville slots sold out very quickly; and several went to kids who live in the city.”

According to their website (kidsmarkets.com), the sales booths got their start locally – but have swept across the country. 

“The Children’s Entrepreneur Market is an award-winning program that teaches young people about the power of entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership through experiential learning,” the website explains. “The markets started in Utah, sold out for five years straight and helped nearly 10,000 kids.”

At last count, Children’s Entrepreneur markets are now hosted in 369 cities, with nearly 70,000 kids ages 5 to 17 operating more than 35,000 booths. They are very close now to having a presence in all 50 states.

That’s a lot of street corn, ‘Otai and fidget fireflies – along with about anything else you can imagine a youngster selling.

“We allow our kids to sell just about anything – as long as it’s legal; oh, and no live pets,” Hansen added. “Lots of kids are selling things they’ve made on 3D printers. And there’s plenty of food. The Taylorsville market has been very successful. It’s such a beautiful venue. And we love having the live band fire up (a featured staple at all the Starry Night events). We definitely plan to return the Children’s Entrepreneur Market in (Centennial Plaza) again next year.” 

Karla Gonzalez stayed mostly in the background as her children Madelynn, Jeremy and Kayden (L-R) sold their culinary concoctions at the Children’s Entrepreneur Market. (Carl Fauver/City Journals)

Of the several Taylorsville families participating in this year’s kids’ market, Andi (mom), Lesieli (7) and Pauliasi (6) were the newest of newcomers. They’re the ones who introduced ‘Otai to those not in the know.

“This was our first year for the kids to operate their Pekipaki Market in the Children’s Entrepreneur Market – and the Taylorsville one was only our second-ever,” Andi Pekipaki said. “The kids thought it was natural for us to sell ‘Otai, because the drink is part of our culture. Rice Krispies treats were also a big seller for us. I love the experience Lesieli and Pauliasi get through the market. I’m sure we’ll operate a booth at a few markets next year, if the kids want to keep doing it.”

While the Pekipakis were Children’s Entrepreneur Market newbies, the Hospodarskys are veterans.

 “This was the girls’ third season operating a booth,” mom Michelle said. “They did it at three markets in 2023, seven markets last year and 11 this year. We don’t raise a lot of money, to be honest. But the markets provide great exposure for our all-girls robotics team.”

In their booth entitled “Cubed ETs,” Taylorsville High School senior Mara and freshman Bria not only sold a variety of goods – including the afore mentioned “fidget fireflies” – but they also allowed people to operate the remote control, robotic vehicle they used in their competitions this year. Overflowing a table at the back of their booth were also some of the many awards and trophies the Taylorsville-based, all-girls robotics team has earned.

Taylorsville residents Bria, Michelle (Mom) and Mara Hospodarsky (L-R) ring up sales at the Children’s Entrepreneur Market, primarily to help raise money for their robotics team. (Carl Fauver/City Journals)

“I really like how operating our booth has helped me learn how to talk to people and communicate more effectively,” Mara Hospodarsky said. “I plan to study mechanical engineering in college starting next fall. I’m not sure yet where I will go. I know my experience on our robotics team – and working in the Children’s Entrepreneur Market – have both helped me prepare.”

In addition to Mara and younger sister Bria, their market booth was also operated by a couple of other robotics team members.

“I enjoy working in the booth with my sister and our (robotics teammates),” Bria added. “It’s fun to talk with people; and I love it when they take an interest in robotics. Some people really enjoy operating (the miniature, robotic vehicle).”

Mom Michelle Hospodarsky concluded: “We love doing the Taylorsville market because we see more community members we know personally. This gives the girls a chance to interact with people – to think outside the box – and gets them off their screens. They are learning and doing things. We have every intention of doing the market again next year.”

Taylorsville residents Bria, Michelle (Mom) and Mara Hospodarsky (L-R) sell a variety of foods at the Children’s Entrepreneur Market, to raise funds for their all-girls, competitive robotics team. (Carl Fauver/City Journals)

The final Taylorsville sales team we caught up with was a mom and three kids who have sold homemade food before – out of their family vehicle. 

 “Before the kids decided to run their Children’s Entrepreneur Market booth, we sold our street corn and lemonade in neighborhoods a few times out of our SUV,” mom Karla Gonzalez said. “The kids named our booth ‘Los Deliciosis,’ and added strawberries and cream, horchatas, caramel apples and ice cream to the menu.”

Karla’s kids – Kayden, 11, Jeremy, 10 and Madelynn, 8, attend Eisenhower Junior High and Granger Elementary Schools. Their street corn – so named because it is a common staple among street vendors in Mexico – features corn on the cob, slathered in chili and cheese, among other toppings (or “coatings”).

The fifth-annual Starry Nights @ the Plaza series of events is a definite go for next season. And Overson says the Children’s Entrepreneur Market will definitely be welcomed back. But as for which particular Friday night will be theirs next year, you’ll have to watch for the schedule release next spring.

If any more young Taylorsville entrepreneurs want to sign up to participate in the local market – or one of their many other markets throughout the Salt Lake Valley – the place to start is kidsmarkets.com.