Bratz Biz proudly celebrates its 20th anniversary, two decades of nurturing young artisan entrepreneurs and building one of Whistler’s most beloved community traditions. The idea began with founders Carmen Laslett and Susan Rowlands, two moms with crafty kids and one simple question: What do we do with all these wonderful creations? Their solution became a holiday craft fair exclusively for youth vendors, giving kids a place to learn, shine, and take pride in their handmade work.
Guided by their mission, to fuel the entrepreneurial spirit and artistic passions of young artisans by providing a venue to sell crafts and a place to learn the business side of creativity, Bratz Biz quickly became more than a market. It offered a foundation for confidence, practical skills, and meaningful community connection.
Carmen cherished the joy on kids’ faces when someone purchased something they made. The market gave young vendors a meaningful side hustle, a chance to earn spending money, and the pride of taking an idea from concept to production to sale. Families rallied together, helping their children build skills in money handling, communication, follow-through, craftsmanship, and self-esteem.
About ten years ago, the organization was passed to Craig Lovell, Jacqui Figgis-Lovely (Lawrence), and Lee Schwartz, all volunteers. After several committed years, Jacqui moved on, and Craig and Lee continue to lead Bratz Biz today. Craig loves seeing young artists’ ideas validated with that first sale, watching kids turn creativity into a viable part-time income, and seeing something new every year. He’s especially excited about welcoming other types of youth artisans, including young musicians, this year.
Lee enjoys watching initially shy kids grow confident in their sales skills over the course of the market, a quiet but powerful transformation that happens year after year.
In a typical season, Bratz Biz showcases 30–40 youth vendors, each bringing unique creativity, passion, and entrepreneurial spirit. Through challenges such as COVID, pivoting first to an online market, then outdoors before returning indoors, Bratz Biz adapted and continued to thrive. Its resilience reflects the unwavering support of the Whistler community, which has championed the organization and its young vendors from the beginning.
From the first market at Whistler Secondary Community School, with 27 young vendors, to today’s vibrant, multi-talented event, Bratz Biz remains a cherished outlet for youth creativity, entrepreneurship, and community spirit. Carmen still hears from families who say the experience gave their children confidence and skills that lasted well beyond the fair.
Twenty years on, Bratz Biz continues to inspire the next generation of young artisan entrepreneurs, celebrating imagination, perseverance, and the power of community.
