South Yorkshire’s small business owners are coming together for a pop up shop event held in Sheffield, in celebration of International Women’s Day.
The event runs from the 8th to the 11th of March on Howard Street, Sheffield, from 10am till 5pm.
20 small businesses run by women including illustrators, musicians, jewellery makers, crochet makers and sustainable fashion creators are coming together for the event.
Olivia Tate, 22, the organiser of the event and student at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “The inspiration for the event came from when I visited my university’s pop up event of student markets, ‘Hallam Made’, at Christmas.
“When talking to the people there I saw a real lack in seller’s experience for small businesses and students in Sheffield.”
Olivia started a design social media page for her female empowerment and positive affirmation artwork and designs and began doing work for commissions in May 2020 after her business started gaining more attraction.
Tate said: “I’m a real strong believer in creating your own opportunities and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, so I thought I’ll be the one to start this event.”
There were over 60 applications from small business owners to be involved, highlighting the gap in the market and need for an event like this.
On Saturday 10 March, feminist musician Delilah Bon is holding a meet and greet for her fans and is selling her feminist art prints and merch, that addresses women’s issues such as misogyny and rape culture.
Some of the small businesses involved are Tee- pow natural cosmetics, Lolo illustration, Broken Bones Boutique and Eyecandy Jewellery.
Sherene Barden, creator of Eyecandy Jewellery, started her business in 2020 creating jewellery from copper wire, stones and repurposed gems from vintage costume jewellery.
Barden said: “Women in business drive economic growth and create job opportunities as well as bringing creativity and diversity into businesses and I think this should be recognised and celebrated.
“I think that it’s a wonderful thing to support and feel supported, so any way of making connections with like-minded women is amazing!”
The event highlights women’s voices and their stories through their work and businesses and celebrating them in accordance with International Women’s Day.
Tate said: “There’s a few women where it is their first selling experience and as a small business it’s really hard to find opportunities like this and I want to offer people that. I want us all to grow a little network and become a girl gang of creators.”