FACS Department Hosts Annual Maker’s Market Event

The Makers Market, an event hosted by Liberty University to support student entrepreneurship and local businesses, was held Nov. 16 in the LaHaye Event Space.

Every semester, the Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) program hosts the market. This semester’s theme was “White Christmas.” Guests wove between tables as Christmas music played in the background. Despite being relatively new for Liberty, the Makers Market has steadily grown into the event it is today.

In 2023, Chelsea Milks, assistant professor and director of event planning and professional and creative industries, started the Makers Market as a way for her students in FACS to receive practical experience in entrepreneurship and event planning. Now, the event has expanded to fill the LaHaye Event Space with up to 50 tables, all piled high with the handmade wares of students from all over Liberty, alongside local vendors.

“(The Makers Market) gives them hands-on experience to be able to develop the business idea from start to finish,” Milks said.

Milks’ students founded their businesses off personal interests and what they believed would sell best, such as permanent jewelry and stationary. With the holiday season just around the corner, many of the products offered were centered around holiday gift-giving or Christmas décor.

For students of Milks’ FACS 324 class, the Makers Market also acted as their practical final exam. All the work they’d done to create a small business in class came down to selling what they had made in a real business setting.   

Abby Hodgin, a student in FACS 324, believes the class prepares its learners in an engaging way.

“It’s not just a lecture class,” said Hodgin. “You’re writing notes in real time; you’re actually doing something that’s hands-on, which I love. I think it’s a good experience for going into the real world.”

Milks saw her students have great success at the Makers Market, since the event gives many of them the confidence boost they need towards pursuing their entrepreneurial goals.

“I’ve had some students make over $1,000,” said Milks. “”The students end up making beyond what they expected and many continue their businesses beyond the class.”

In addition to the FACS 324 students, local businesses such as Holy Heaven Cookie Co., Buff City Soap and Blackwater Coffee Company were also present. Other students who were not part of the class also had tables lined with items such as jewelry or glass tumblers, many of whom aimed to fund personal missionary travels or hurricane relief efforts.

“The Makers Market is a time for everybody to come together and have a good time,” said Victoria Inmon, who was operating the Sweet Stop Cake Shop. “(It’s) a good outlet for people to get out and have fun. I think it’s a good experience for everyone.”

McKinnon is the off-campus news editor for the Liberty Champion.