Today we’d like to introduce you to Regina Hord.
Hi Regina, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My entrepreneurial journey started as a kid. I was always creating small businesses in my neighborhood and at school, from walking dogs and babysitting to making crafts, selling bracelets, selling candy, and creating seashell candles.
After graduating from the University of South Florida with a business degree in marketing and having my first son, business ownership felt like the natural next step. I became a FIT4MOM franchisee just a few months after graduating college. FIT4MOM gave me the opportunity to build a business with my son in tow while connecting with other moms in the Tampa Bay community.
Kids Market was born through that experience. While running FIT4MOM Tampa Bay, doing my own marketing, and setting up at local markets with Tampa Bay Markets to market that business, my business partner, Andrea, and I had so many conversations with local business owners who had children with creative ideas of their own. It became clear that kids needed a real place to learn, build, sell, and be taken seriously as young entrepreneurs.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting Kids Market while owning a franchise, raising small children, and eventually opening a studio was definitely a balancing act. I could not have done it without the support of my business partners, Andrea and Kelly, my husband, and the local business owners who believed in the idea from the beginning.
One of our biggest challenges was the shutdowns during COVID. Kids Market had to take a hiatus, but we came back stronger and more focused than ever. Another ongoing challenge is Florida weather, since most of our market events are outdoors. Rain, heat, wind, and last-minute changes are part of the process. The kids and parents are resilient, though. Even when market day does not go exactly as planned, there is always a lesson in flexibility, problem-solving, and showing up.
As you know, we’re big fans of Kids Market. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Kids Market supports young business owners ages 7 to 17 throughout the Greater Tampa Bay Area through online education, in-person networking, and real-life market opportunities where kids can sell their products to the public.
In partnership with Tampa Bay Markets, we offer six regular monthly markets, plus pop-up opportunities with organizations such as the Downtown Partnership, Main Street Zephyrhills, Grand on Central, the City of Tampa, Midtown, and more. The Tampa Bay community has been incredibly supportive of these young entrepreneurs.
What sets Kids Market apart from other youth vendor opportunities is the education behind it. Before kids attend their first market, they submit a business plan so they are prepared to think through their product, pricing, setup, inventory, and sales approach. Through our Kids Market membership, we also offer quarterly networking events so young business owners can connect outside of market day.
I am most proud of the consistency we have created. Kids are not just getting one opportunity to sell. They can come back month after month, improve their booth, test new products, build confidence, and grow their businesses over time. Kelly and I work hard to support them not only as event organizers, but as fellow business owners who understand what it takes to keep going.
What were you like growing up?
I was a quiet kid with an entrepreneurial spirit. Marketing myself was one of the biggest obstacles in my own business journey, but I always found a way to make it work.
I loved playing sports and being outside with friends, but I would often choose to work on a business idea or do extra chores for cash instead. I was a hard worker from a young age. School came easily to me, and I was often bored, so building small businesses gave me something challenging and exciting to focus on.
We see that same spark in many of our Kids Market vendors. A lot of them are creative, driven, and curious. They love having ownership over something that is truly theirs, and it is amazing to watch them grow through the experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kidsmarket.us
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidsmarket.us
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kidsmarket.us
