• Pitch Your Big Idea

    Students will begin by pitching their business idea to program organizers. This gives participants the opportunity to think creatively, build confidence, and begin developing their entrepreneurial mindset. Depending on participation numbers and available funding, selected students may also receive startup funds to help launch their business.

  • Learn Real-World Business Skills

    Participants will gain hands-on experience learning the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, including pricing, budgeting, expenses, return on investment (ROI), marketing, customer service, and sales tracking. Students will receive educational binders and resources to help guide them throughout the season.

  • Launch & Vend at the Market

    Accepted participants will be able to vend FREE at the market all summer long. The program will provide access to tents, tables, brainstorming materials for signage and branding, and official program shirts to help students feel prepared and professional.

  • Connect with Local Business Leaders

    Throughout the season, local businesses, entrepreneurs, and market vendors will be invited to speak with participants during mini workshops and mentorship opportunities. Students will hear real stories, advice, struggles, and successes directly from members of the business community.

  • Reflect, Grow & Inspire

    At the end of the season, participants will share feedback, testimonials, and lessons learned from their experience. These stories help us continue improving the program while showcasing the incredible growth and creativity of our young entrepreneurs.

  • Build Confidence & Independence

    NextGen Market Makers is about more than just selling products — it’s about helping students build confidence in themselves and their abilities. From interacting with customers to managing responsibilities and making business decisions, participants will gain valuable life skills that encourage independence, communication, leadership, and problem-solving.

Now Accepting Registrations -

Now Accepting Registrations -

Register Here

NextGen Market Makers

Launch Your Big Idea

Future Omro is excited to introduce NextGen Market Makers, a youth entrepreneurship program created to inspire the next generation of business owners, creators, and community leaders.

Thanks to a recently awarded grant, this program is available FREE to students of all school ages(elementary-college) and gives participants the opportunity to gain real-world business experience in a supportive, hands-on environment.

What is NextGen Market Makers?

NextGen Market Makers is designed to help students explore entrepreneurship by creating, launching, and operating their own small business throughout the summer market season.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

  • Brainstorm and develop a business idea

  • Learn the basics of starting and running a business

  • Create branding, signage, and marketing materials

  • Track expenses, pricing, and return on investment (ROI)

  • Gain customer service and sales experience

  • Build confidence, creativity, and leadership skills

What the Program Provides

Through this program, participating students will receive:

  • Start up funds (amount will depend on the number of participants)

  • FREE vendor space at the market all summer long

  • Access to tents and tables during market events

  • A program t-shirt to wear at the market

  • Startup guidance and educational materials

  • Business planning binders and worksheets

  • Brainstorming tools for business names, signage, and branding

Our goal is to remove as many barriers as possible so students can focus on learning, creating, and growing their ideas.

Learning Beyond the Booth

One of the most exciting parts of this program will be our planned mini workshops and mentorship opportunities.

We are inviting local businesses, entrepreneurs, and market vendors to come speak with participants about:

  • How they got started

  • Challenges they faced

  • Best business advice

  • Marketing and branding

  • Financial basics

  • Customer service

  • Growing a business from an idea

These conversations will help students gain real insight and encouragement from people actively working in the business community.

Program Expectations

Students accepted into the NextGen Market Makers program may vend at the market free of charge throughout the summer season.

To remain active in the program, participants are required to attend at least: Two market dates per month

This helps encourage consistency, growth, and hands-on experience throughout the season.

End-of-Season Feedback & Testimonials

At the conclusion of the market season, participants will be asked to share feedback about their experience in the NextGen Market Makers program.

We want to hear what students learned, what challenges they overcame, what they enjoyed most, and how the program helped them grow personally and professionally. Participants may also be asked to provide testimonials, photos, or success stories that can help us continue improving and growing the program for future young entrepreneurs.

This feedback is incredibly valuable and helps demonstrate the impact of the program to sponsors, grant providers, and community supporters who make opportunities like this possible.