LCC Marketplace

La Costa Canyon hosted its first LCC Marketplace on Saturday March 5, 2022, with booths in Maverick Park and The Meadow. It was a great success for all Maverick students that participated in the event as well as those who visited the campus over the weekend.

The market attracted everyone from students and friends, to family members, to locals. It was a terrific opportunity for young entrepreneurs and small business owners to promote their products and get a feel for the environment of sales. Students with sales ranging from clothes, to art, to baked goods had great success in selling their self-created products.

Senior Emma Stanford set up a booth of her Sunnny Totes, personalized tote bags including tie dye patterns and different painted designs, along with handmade necklaces. She describes how she got started and what inspired her to transform her passion into a business.

“I sell little tote bags, like beach tote bags and I sell them for about $10 and then I sold some necklaces as well. I first did this as a DIY project over quarantine and then I would go out in public and people would be like ‘Where did you get your bag?’ and when I told them I made it they would say ‘You should sell them,’” said Stanford.

Through advertising on Instagram, selling at Hansen’s Surf Shop in Encinitas, and promoting her business at the marketplace, Emma has had solid success with her company and sales, significantly benefitting from joining the marketplace.

“It was really cool to be a part of the marketplace because students and staff were able to come see and watch my creations and I thought that was really cool. I heard about [the marketplace] through teachers and I thought it would be really cool to participate in,” said Stanford.

LCC ASB students also highlighted their merchandise at a booth where students could pick up some of their favorite gear such as sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats, and more. It is a great way for students to represent their school and show school spirit.

Not only were small businesses featured but clubs also took part in the selling. Senior Bailey Mowery is a member of The Clay Club and found the marketplace to be beneficial for the group, as the club sold art sculptures as well as clay for at home creations.

“[The marketplace] benefitted us because now we have money to buy supplies for the fundraiser we are planning in a couple months. I joined this club because I wanted to take on some leadership roles and I felt like it would be a good way to give back to the community while doing something that I love. [Joining the marketplace] was good for making connections and getting involved with the school and the community,” said Mowrey.

The success of the marketplace brought more awareness to the creativity within the community and the talent of the La Costa Canyon Maverick students. It was a great success and inspired many students to start their own small businesses in hopes of taking part in another LCC Marketplace in the future.

The takeaway is a reminder to support small businesses both inside and outside the school community. The smallest purchase or donation can make the biggest difference to aspiring entrepreneurs.