The Queens Night Market will host a series of free small business seminars next month for individuals and families who are interested in becoming a vendor or are looking to start a business in New York City.
The seminars will be held on March 1, March 8, and March 15 from 6 to 9 p.m. in Room 200 at Queens Borough Hall, located at 120-55 Queens Blvd.
The Queens Night Market is partnering with the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS), Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., Citizens Bank, and the Queens Economic Development Corporation for the event.
The seminars will cover a range of topics including:
- Creating a Viable Business Idea
- Industry and Competitor Analysis
- Branding and Marketing
- Social Media
- Food Service Operations
- Obtaining Permits
The seminars will also cover Queens Night Market topics and feature guest speakers, networking, and Q&A opportunities. Popular vendors will share their stories, successes, and challenges with attendees. Light snacks and refreshments from Queens Night Market vendors will be served, courtesy of Citizens and Queens Night Market.
Anyone interested in attending the seminars can find more details and RSVP for each session:
Session I – March 1, 6 to 9 p.m – First Steps & Creating a Business Idea that Works
Session II – March 8, 6 to 9 p.m. – Operations & Profitability
Session III – March 15, 6 to 9 p.m. – Marketing & Social Media
Approximately 400 aspiring entrepreneurs enrolled for the seminar series over the last several years.
John Wang, founder of the Queens Night Market, said he hopes that the seminars will encourage aspiring entrepreneurs to step into the small business economy that is fueling New York’s recovery.
“The Queens Night Market is a celebratory mosaic of small local businesses, mostly run by immigrant families. By design, the event has become synonymous with diversity, both through our vendors and our visitors. The amazing array of small businesses in NYC isn’t just an economic engine, it’s a cultural amenity that makes this city so vibrant and inspiring and invigorating,” said John Wang, founder of the Queens Night Market. “The Queens Night Market aspires to lower barriers to entry for entrepreneurs, and vendor fees are lower than ever this year thanks to a new partnership with Citizens.”
Kevin Kim, commissioner of the NYC Small Business Services, said the agency is proud to partner with the Queens Night Market to bring free business seminars to strengthen the city’s economic recovery.
“The Queens Night Market is classic New York City — a celebration of our diversity and the entrepreneurial heart of our small businesses,” Kim said.
As part of the Queens community, Nuno Dos Santos, retail banking director at Citizens, said the partnership between the bank and Queens Night Market “will make this year the best yet by ensuring access and affordability for vendors and guests alike.”
Richards said he looks forward to the upcoming seminars and the return of the Queens Night Market, an amazing attraction that will open for the season in April.
“I’m so pleased we are once again working with the Queens Night Market and our other outstanding partners to hold these informative small business seminars,” Richards said. “Small businesses across Queens experienced historic setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic aftershocks, and it is critical that we give our small business owners the opportunity to network and learn the skills needed to grow their businesses.
Since it debuted in 2015, the Queens Night Market has helped launch over 350 brand new businesses in New York and represented over 90 countries through its vendors and their food.
In 2022, the event averaged over 15,000 visitors each Saturday night. An anonymous survey of vendors indicated that food vendors averaged roughly $2,700 in sales per night in the event’s last season in 2022, in spite of the $5/$6 price cap on food.
The Queens Night Market has received well over 300 applications thus far for its 2023 season. Interested vendors can apply online, or direct questions to: vendor@queensnightmarket.com
