Boonville is set to host the fifth annual Youth Entrepreneur Expo this Saturday, featuring around 20 young vendors, local authors and artists, as well as a variety of food trucks. The event will take place at Erwin Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The expo was created by 18-year-old Jonathan Kornmeyer, a homeschooled senior, who wanted to offer young people a platform to explore entrepreneurship. Kornmeyer’s idea began during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since grown, attracting local children as young as eight who are eager to share their business ventures.
“At 12, I started selling baked goods at local farmers’ markets and events,” Kornmeyer explained. “By 15, my family and I opened Broadway Cafe and Bakery in Boonville, where I work today.”
In addition to the young vendors and food trucks, the event will feature a Lego building contest and other activities. Kornmeyer views the expo as a valuable learning opportunity for kids.
“It teaches them how to run a business and possibly avoid working for someone else for the rest of their lives,” he said.
The young entrepreneurs will offer a range of products, including baked goods, bracelets, 3D-printed items, fishing lures, t-shirts, and more. The expo will be held alongside the Best of Boonville event on Main Street, offering something for everyone.
