Staten Island, NY – Dozens of people stopped by Roc-A-Natural’s Small Business Saturday mini flea market to open three pop-up shops in Clifton’s cozy backyard.
“I do this because we are a small company without walls,” said Dorcas G. Meyers, founder of Roc-A-Natural.
Over the past four years, Meyers has opened the doors of his home to many small business owners for his annual “Small Business Saturday” and “Super Savings Sunday” weekend events. She has set up her own store along with other vendors in her backyard where her friends and family are welcome to stop by and shop.
Today, Myers was selling afrocentric clothing, sea moss, and natural oils for skin care. These are all products from her Roc-A-Natural business, which she says is also a movement promoting a natural and healthy lifestyle.
“We want to make sure that we promote natural products.
With products such as aloe vera, grapeseed oil, turmeric, vitamin e and ginger, Myers emphasizes the importance of using proper, natural nutrition in their products.
Pop-up shop:
The youngest vendor on the market
The youngest seller at the flea market today, 16-year-old Lovelle Harris is the founder of Uniquelymebylove, a beaded jewelry business. She started making shiny, bright bracelets just five months before her.
“I love making jewelry and I love wearing jewelry. I think it’s like you,” Harris said.
Harris began selling jewelry earlier this month, with many people at her school, Curtis High School, buying her jewelry, and some asking for her costumed designs. She has sold over 50 of her bracelets to date and plans to expand her business online.
“I’m trying to build a website, but I’m waiting to get a laptop and a printer,” Harris said.
Her father, Felix Harris, is excited because doing a pop-up shop today is a “big move” for her.
“We need to teach young people about small businesses, especially given what COVID has shown us and the number of unemployed.” With passion, we start investing in ourselves We need to, because we all have talent and it’s in us…just in case we have to generate our own capital.”
Afrocentric decor by V Dazzle Designs
Valerie Dudley, owner of V. Dazzle Designs, creates Afrocentric embellishments on mugs, bookmarks, wine glasses, wine bags and more. She enjoys launching her pop-up shop, selling products primarily through her Etsy and word-of-mouth in her store online. She has attended her Meyer’s Small her business her Saturdays event for several years.
“I like coming here because it’s a nice, small setting, with lots of traffic and an opportunity for people to learn about my business,” said Dudley.
Most of Dudley’s product designs can be attributed to her love of rhymed stones and glitter.
“I’ve always loved making things. I’ve always loved decorating. And I’ve always loved bling. I love to create unique gifts,” she said.
independent beauty consultant
Independent beauty consultant Barbara Leffel used to sell Mary-Kate cosmetics and personal care products at the flea market.
Reffell receives 50% of the company’s sales and a gift every three months, but making new friends and gaining confidence in her abilities as a business woman are what she values most in her part-time job. It is said that
“It gives me power and motivation. They give us classes that show us different ways to sell and give us creative control. and really, for me, it’s a way to work on yourself as an individual,” Lefel said. “You have to believe in yourself. I was scared.”
As an independent beauty consultant, Reffell hopes to apply the expertise she has acquired to other areas of her life, particularly in building her homeland of Liberia.