Question 1

Do I need a business license?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but we have coordinated with the mayors of our local municipalities who have developed a free one-day business license for Kidovate participants. Participants will be sent an email link to download their licenses in late March. We will also have some hard copies on hand in case you forget to bring your license to Market Day.

Question 2

How much does the program cost?

Accepted Answer

Not a thing! Kidovate does not charge a dime to participate in our program. The only costs are what you choose to spend on creating your product and creating signage for your Kidovate table. We are grateful for our partners including the Victoria Bay Centre, Community Futures Port Alberni, the City of Victoria, and UVIC Innovation Centre. A huge shout out to our many fabulous local media partners who help us get the word out!

Question 3

What does Kidovate provide at the mall?

Accepted Answer

Each participant will receive:
~ one 6 ft table (your table will have your assigned table number on it when you arrive on Saturday morning)
~ one black table cloth (already in place)
~ 1 chair
~ 1 business license holder (remember to print off and bring your business license which will be emailed in late March)

There are VERY limited power outlets available. If you must have power at your table, please let us know asap -- smithb@uvic.ca (smithb@uvic.ca)

Our mall partners have asked that we NOT tape anything to the walls so any merchandizing ideas that you have should be able to be free-standing on your table.

Question 4

What if I don’t live in Greater Victoria?

Accepted Answer

As of 2026, we are expanding Kidovate to include a Kidovate Nanaimo Market Day! If you live up Island, we encourage you to participate in Kidovate at this exciting new location.

If you are from the Victoria area, we encourage you to participate in Kidovate Victoria Market Day at The Bay Centre.

We ask participants to choose one or the other location for your Kidovate entrepreneurial experience to help ensure that as many youth as possible can be included.

Question 5

Is the marketplace supervised?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the marketplace will be supervised by UVIC faculty and students. They will be wearing Kidovate T-shirts and circulating around - we are easy to spot! We are also supported by the mall's security staff, if needed. However, keep in mind that there are lots of moving parts to keep track of on Market Day. Supervision is only provided at the Market, not if youth choose to leave the Market. Participants are responsible for their own cash management, products, and personal items. Participants are expected to stay at their own tables and use a buddy system (make a new friend) if they need to leave to use the washroom/get food. UVIC students are available to watch over a table in these situations. UVIC, the host mall, and Kidovate organizers and volunteers are not responsible for loss or theft of any items. Parents/guardians are encouraged to check in regularly with their youth participant(s) during the day. As well, parents should be sure to complete the required Kidovate event day form that lets us know how to reach you if needed.

Question 6

How are table locations allocated?

Accepted Answer

We work hard to be as fair as possible on assigning table locations. This year, we will assign tables based on the order in which participants register. For our Victoria location, we will first fill Level 2, then centre court on the ground level, and then Level 3. We also try to keep high school students in the same general area so they have a chance to network. It is important that we keep the Market Day experience interesting for our customers and also downplay competition, so we also try to avoid having, for example, three candle makers side-by-side.

In late March, participants will receive an email with their assigned table number and floor level/location so everyone knows where to set up their things when they arrive to the mall on Market Day. Each table in the mall will have a visible number displayed to help you find the table where you will set up your things. Remember: merchandizing your table well helps attract sales.

If you have to cancel your participation in Kidovate, it is really important that you let us know ASAP so that we can reallocate your table. We have a waitlist of youth keen to participate.

Question 7

What if my school does not offer Kidovate?

Accepted Answer

That is completely fine. Most of our participants are doing Kidovate outside of their school activities. You can do Kidovate at your own pace using our graphic novel workbook to help you think through some key business decisions. You can also get assistance from UVIC business student mentors (schedule a FaceTime meeting). To get both, just email Brock at smithb@uvic.ca (smithb@uvic.ca)

Tip: Remember to add Kidovate to your resume!

Question 8

Can I get school credit for participating?

Accepted Answer

Talk to your teacher to find out!

Question 9

Can I do this with a friend?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Teamwork makes the dream work! You can do Kidovate on your own, or with friends. Just be sure to tell us how many people will be at your table either when you register or by emailing smithb@uvic.ca (smithb@uvic.ca)later. If you want separate tables, please tell us that you want to be located together (be sure to register at or near the same time as table locations will be determined in order of the time that your registration is received).  We will do our best to keep "friend" tables together.

Help us make sure that you have enough chairs at your table to accommodate your Kidovate team members - email to tell us who will be at your table on Market Day if you did not all officially register - smithb@uvic.ca (smithb@uvic.ca)

Note too that Kidovate is designed as a youth entrepreneurship experience. This means that parents/guardians/adult helpers can assist youth participants set up their tables, but we require adults to step away for the Market Day activities from 10-4. Any concerns about this policy should be discussed with the organizers at the time of registration.

Question 10

Could I lose money?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there is always some risk in entrepreneurship. Kidovate is designed to reduce some of that risk. You should always make entrepreneurial decisions based on understanding the most you could lose if you do not sell anything compared to the upside of the profit you could make if you sell everything that you make. You should be prepared to accept both outcomes.

Knowing what the customer wants/values can be tricky. We find that it is very rare though that a participant does not get some return on their investment.

We have a number of youth who have come back year after year to participate in Kidovate. This is fantastic! You learn about entrepreneurship by doing it and you get better by practicing it.

Question 11

Can I participate if I am less than 12 years old?

Accepted Answer

Kidovate is designed for youth in grades 6-12. Kidovate Market Day is very exciting but it is also a long day. We have found that some younger siblings have been able to successfully participate in Kidovate by supporting an older sibling in making sales at their shared table. We are happy to support this teamwork activity.

The participation of youth under age 12 at Kidovate Market Day requires the permission of organizers. Please contact Dr. Brock Smith at the Gustavson School of Business for more information - smithb@uvic.ca (smithb@uvic.ca)

Question 12

What if I have to cancel?

Accepted Answer

We understand that plans can change unexpectedly.

We also request that you please do not attend Kidovate Market Day if you are feeling unwell.

Please let us know ASAP if you need to cancel your Kidovate Market Day attendance so that we can successfully reallocate your table to youth on our waitlist.  smithb@uvic.ca (smithb@uvic.ca)

We appreciate as much notice as possible to manage these logistics.

Question 13

Are you on social media?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Please follow us and share news about Kidovate with your friends and family!  We are on Instagram @kidovate.ca and Facebook - kidovate.ca (kidovate.ca)

It takes all of us working together to generate lots of customers to come down to share an encouraging word with Kidovate participants and/or shop at Kidovate Market Day! Please help us spread the news!

Question 14

Can I sell food?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if it meets the “low risk” standard outlined in the current Ministry of Health “Temporary Food Market Guidelines”. You can find a link to these guidelines under the Youth tab on this website.  Please be sure that you are reading the most CURRENT version of the guidelines as they do change.

Please be sure that ALL of your food items are individually wrapped for sale.

Question 15

I hear that there are prizes?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Thanks to the generous support from our sponsors, we are able to make some monetary prizes available. We expect to have a number of prizes to hand out for Innovation and Creativity, Best Merchandizing, Entrepreneurial Spirit, and Sustainability. The prizes are judged by UVIC faculty members and our prize sponsors.

Question 16

Can I join BOTH the Victoria and Nanaimo Kidovate Market Days?

Accepted Answer

We want to make sure that as many youth as possible have the opportunity to have a Kidovate entrepreneurship experience. We ask that you register to participate in EITHER our Victoria OR Nanaimo location.

If we have excess capacity, we will send out an email to registered participants about joining Kidovate Market Day at the second location.

FAQ

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