CRAFTY mums are turning their hobbies into home-based businesses and reaping the rewards.
At the Norwood Community Markets, held at Clayton-Wesley Uniting Church on the second and fourth Saturday of every month, mums make up about 85 per cent of stallholders, with Fullarton Parks Fullarton Markets and the Mummy Tree Market, held at the Adelaide Showground, Wayville, boasting similar numbers.
Norwood Community Markets organiser Chantalle Dupond said markets provided women with an opportunity to earn an income while remaining at home with their children.
The majority (of stallholders) do the markets primarily as a means of income, Mrs Dupond said.
People really want to get their products out there and markets fit in with the family life.
Its convenient because you can work around your kids.
Kim Patapan, who works full time from home directing the Mummy Tree Markets, said every stallholder she knew was also a parent.
Its all about supporting mums, Ms Patapan said.
When youre a parent and youre in an office job, its hard and its complicated.
People are attracted to the flexibility of the markets and this way they can work within their own schedules.
Fullarton Market organiser, Phil Wilkinson said his wife, Frankie, weighed up the costs of returning to work after having children and decided starting a home-based business made sense.
The amount of money my wife could earn by returning to work, we would then spend on child care, which is why we started the markets, Mr Wilkinson said.
You dont have to make a lot of money (at the markets) to be on top because of all the savings you make.
Eastside Business Enterprise Centre manager Mike Hawkins said at least 20 per cent of his clients were work-from-home mums and he expected that figure to rise as more women turned to home-based business as a source of income.
Its certainly something weve noticed, Mr Hawkins said.
Mums are leaving the workforce and are starting a business from home.
Image consultant and personal stylist Lizzy Eden and her daughter Emily, who run Fashion with a Friend from the Norwood Community Market, said the markets were not only a source of income, but also a chance to bond.
Its a chance to be together and help my daughter learn selling and customer service skills, Mrs Eden said.
Were a mum and daughter team.
UPCOMING MARKETS
Fullarton Markets – Fullarton Park, corner Fullarton Rd and Fisher St, Fullarton, Saturday, February 25, 9am-1pm
Norwood Community Market – Clayton-Wesley Uniting Church, 280 Portrush Rd, Beulah Park, Saturday, February 25, 10am-4pm
Mathildas Market – Burnside Ballroom, corner Greenhill and Portrush roads, Tusmore, Saturday, March 3, 9am-1pm
Little Apple Twilight Market – Adelaide Salvos, 227 Pirie St, Adelaide, Wednesday, May 2, 6pm-9pm
The Mummy Tree Markets – Stirling Angas Pavilion, Adelaide Showground, Goodwood Rd, Wayville, Sunday, May 6, 10am-3pm
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