Triad City Beat | Bustling Culture: Entrepreneurial ‘university’ aims to help companies reach the next level

Featured Photo: Sacred Bath and Body Vendors at People’s Market

Shante Woody is no stranger to hustle and bustle.

In 2015, after being turned down for a job again, she looked around the house for items to pawn just to make ends meet. So I looked at sugar, eggs, flour and butter.

“All I knew was that there was a really good pound cake recipe,” said Woody.

Soon after, Woody started selling baked goods at People’s Market in Greensboro. The extra income became a lifeline, a way to pay for expenses like regular bills and the kids’ glasses.

“I was considered low or middle income,” she said. “It felt great to be sustainable.”

Seven years later, Woody is now the manager of People’s Market, part of an initiative to help others keep their businesses running. Side Hustle University, a joint he venture of People’s Market, The Corner Market, Glenwood Together, and CoMetta, aims to help small businesses acquire the business skills they need to succeed. Beginning January 10th, Side Hustle University will offer a variety of sessions focused on developing skills such as marketing, networking and identifying local resources. Corner Market is still open, but People’s Market is only open from April to October. So even in the offseason, Woody wants Bender to be able to thrive, and the side his Hustle College is the way to do that.

“We want people to know that we are more than just a pop-up market,” says Woody. “Yes, we do, but how do we create connections and communities with our vendors and give them the resources they need to be successful?”

For her, attending People’s Market many years ago changed the trajectory of her life.

A mother of seven, Woody struggled to find steady work as she was charged with misdemeanor misdemeanor possession of tools from the age of 18. She had to restrain her teenage daughter who had behavioral health problems. Her charges were ultimately dismissed, she said, but the repercussions of her case continue with her to this day.

“It still labels me,” said Woody.

In the dark, she turned to an old recipe she had learned from her grandmother, Jesse. She helped in her kitchen when she was a child.

“It was ours,” Woody recalled. “It was a chore. My grandmother was always sifting and measuring me in the kitchen. Those were my responsibilities.

After a successful fundraiser for his church, Woody took cake decorating classes at Michael’s and started selling at People’s Market.

“It was history,” said Woody. “I’ve tried other markets, I’ve done other pop-ups, but from April to October, I know it’s my home. There’s a sense of community. No. Everyone thrives.

She has seen several other vendors find success through the market as well. Nunu’s Lemonade girlfriend Nunu started selling drinks in plastic cups at the market when she was 11 years old. Now she’s in high school and sells logoed lemonade in bottles.

“It has all the aesthetics of a real entrepreneur,” says Woody. “We want to see you grow, make money and take it to the next level.”

After three years of the pandemic, with rising rents and inflation coupled with recent fears from county health departments, Woody said it’s important to give vendors every chance to succeed.

“The food business is going nowhere,” said Woody. “They show up every day….People need something to supplement their income. , I believe Side Hustle University will help them better prepare for the next steps in their business.”

Side Hustle University starts on January 10th and runs through March. All classes are held at Glenwood Together. Learn more and register at thepeoplesmarketgso.com.