A group of like-minded entrepreneurs gathered Saturday to sell their wares and help raise funds for a local charity.
The Women with Purpose Summer Market, hosted by local photographer Amanda Braybrook at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, on the border of Barrie and Innisfil, was a way to bring together fellow female entrepreneurs to get to know each other and showcase their products and businesses, explained Braybrook.
“I grew up in Vaughan, with an established business there. When I moved up north, no one really knew who I was, so I decided to do a market just to get my name out there. My first event was so successful, so I just kept running with it,” she said.
Saturday’s event was the sixth Women with Purpose market, she noted, adding in addition to bringing together business women, it has helped raise awareness and money for a different local charity each time. This weekend’s market, which included 17 vendors, was to help raise money and supplies for My Sister’s Place, a women’s shelter based in Innisfil and Alliston.
“I do have a few friends that grew up in shelters, so I feel like giving back to something like that touches my heart that I can help and give back,” she said, adding vendors were also asked to donate items such as toiletries and blankets.
As a female entrepreneur, Braybrook told BarrieToday being able to help others like her makes her feel good.
“I feel like I have a purpose, and my purpose is to help others achieve their goals. Seeing other people succeed … and achieve their goals, my goals are achieved as well,” she said.
