RSVP Free for the chance to win a roundtrip for two on Helijet’s scheduled helicopter service between Vancouver & Nanaimo (valued at $1,000!)
Free to Attend!
Join us on Friday November 20th
Make Change Market is Employ to Empower’s (ETE) signature biannual pop-up market featuring 20 ETE entrepreneurs who face systemic barriers, showcasing their creativity, passion, and unique journeys.
Join us this year on Friday November 20th, join us at Heritage Hall (3102 Main St) from 5pm-9pm to discover the incredible businesses the BST graduates have created.
The market’s theme is, Together We Build, shining a spotlight on what’s possible when every person is empowered to contribute their strengths and talents. It’s a reminder that, together, we can build stronger, more connected communities.
What to Expect
This year’s Make Change Market will feature:
Meet the MCM Vendors
Every booth at the Make Change Market represents dedication, resilience, and creative vision. Explore the Entrepreneur Directory to get a sneak peek at the passionate local makers, artisans, and small business owners featuring their products and services at this year’s market.
Take a look below to preview who will be there, discover their stories, and start building your shopping list!
Together We Build
Empowered Communities
The market’s theme is, Together We Build, shining a spotlight on what’s possible when every person is empowered to contribute their strengths and talents.
This event is not only a celebration of the resilient journeys of the entrepreneurs’ and the businesses that they created from their passions – but a celebration of the volunteers, donors, and long-time advocates whose collective efforts prove what is possible when our community comes together to support one another.
It’s a reminder that, together, we can build stronger, more connected communities.
MCM Over the Years
To date, we have welcomed over 700 guests across 4 Make Change Markets — advocates, donors, volunteers, and community members who witnessed the impact of eight years of collective effort.
For many entrepreneurs, it was their first time marketing their business to the public, sharing their story, and seeing their ideas come to life.
And for those who joined us for the first time — this event is ETE in its truest and most organic form: entrepreneurs, spotlighted and celebrated, sharing their creativity, wisdom, and resilience with the community.
What was once an idea, is now our biannual signature event – we are so honoured for you to be a part of our growth.
Origin Story
What began as a 2021 pivot has grown into a vibrant community event.
The idea for Make Change Market started back in 2021, when Employ to Empower was just three years old. At the time, we had 12 entrepreneurs in our program — and we dreamed of creating a barrier-free market (no participation costs; training & marketing support) where they could showcase their businesses to the community for the very first time.
But as many of you know, 2021 came with a few plot twists as the second-wave of the pandemic happened. Our in-person event was cancelled — and instead, we pivoted to build something completely new: an online marketplace, the first of its kind featuring businesses from local, low-income entrepreneurs from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
It was grassroots, volunteer-led, and deeply aligned with what we believe at ETE — meeting people where they’re at and creating opportunities for them to use their full strengths and talents.
Flash forward to today, and this vision has come full circle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Make Change Market (MCM)?
Make Change Market (MCM) is Employ to Empower’s (ETE) signature biannual pop-up market featuring ETE Entrepreneurs who face systemic barriers, showcasing their businesses to the community (some for the very first time!)
Who are the featured vendors at MCM?
To get a sneak peak of the featured vendors for the upcoming MCM happening on Fri Nov 20th, 2026 explore the MCM Entrepreneur Directory (available on Nov 10th).
When is MCM?
MCM happens twice a year – once in the Spring and the second in the Fall. The next MCMs will happen:
- Friday November 20th, 2026 from 5pm to 9pm at Heritage Hall
- Friday June 11th, 2027 from 5:30pm to 9pm at Heritage Hall
Is there an admission fee to attend MCM?
MCM is free to attend – you can RSVP free here.
Who should attend?
This event is open to anyone who is community-minded, passionate about supporting local entrepreneurs, and inspired to support the low-income community who is navigating multiple systemic barriers. This is a family-friendly event open to all!
What payment methods are accepted?
We recommend bringing a few payment options, including cash, debit/credit cards, and e-transfer, however cash is preferred.
Because the featured entrepreneurs face systemic barriers, each vendor sets up their own payment preferences. Coming prepared with flexible payment options helps ensure a seamless shopping experience for you and supports an inclusive, equitable market for all our vendors!
How do I get to Heritage Hall (3102 Main Street, Vancouver BC)?
Address: Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street (at East 15th Avenue), Vancouver, BC
By Public Transit
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Bus:
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#3 Main / Downtown: Drops off right outside Heritage Hall at Main St & E 16th Ave.
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#9 Broadway / #99 B-Line: Stop at Main St & Broadway. From there, it is a short 5 to 7 minute walk south on Main St to 15th Ave.
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#19 Kingsway: Stop at Kingsway & E 13th Ave, followed by a quick 5-minute walk.
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SkyTrain:
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Canada Line: Disembark at Broadway–City Hall Station. Walk east along Broadway to Main Street and turn right (south) to 15th Ave (approx. 15–20 min walk), or catch the #9 bus east to Main Street.
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Expo Line: Disembark at Main Street–Science World Station. Catch the southbound #3 Main Street bus directly to the hall.
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Parking Information
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Street Parking: Metered street parking is available along Main Street and surrounding side streets (East 15th and 16th Avenues). Unmetered parking can also be found further into the residential side streets.
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Important Note: Please read street signs carefully, as residential permit zones apply, and parking in alleys is strictly prohibited.
Accessibility & Active Transportation
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Accessibility: Heritage Hall features accessible ramp access at the main entrance.
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Cycling: Bike racks are located nearby along Main Street and East 10th Avenue (a designated bike route).
Do I need to RSVP?
An RSVP (or ticket) is not required to attend, however, every person who RSVPs will be entered to win our door prize. You can RSVP free here!
Next Door Prize: The winner of the upcoming MCM on Fri Nov 20th door prize will win a roundtrip for two on Helijet’s scheduled helicopter service between Vancouver & Nanaimo (valued at $1,000!)
Why is MCM important?
Make Change Market (MCM) isn’t just a shopping experience — it’s a celebration of the strength of our community and the power of collective support. By attending, you’re helping break down barriers for local entrepreneurs and contributing to a more equitable, empowered community.
For the entrepreneurs, MCM provides the opportunity to connect with the broader community, share their story, their business and their passion, and for some, make their very first sale. MCM was designed for entrepreneurs to gain market experience and real-time customer feedback, inclusive of a 3-part training on sales processing, booth design, and pre-event marketing.
For volunteers, donors and long-time advocates, MCM is the opportunity to see the impact of your time, talent and dollars shared over the years. Whether it was one hour or 3 years, $10 or $100,000, your contributions mean something. MCM is an example of the ripple effect of collective support.
For those new to the ETE community, MCM is the most ETE it gets: an opportunity to learn about the impact and importance of what we do through the people themselves.
Interested in Empowering More Entrepreneurs?
Make Change Market is a celebration of what is possible when a community comes together to empower each other through shared resources and knowledge, opportunity, and community support.
This event would not be possible without our generous sponsors, dedicated volunteers, and long-time advocates—every contribution creates a lasting ripple effect of impact across our community.
Interested in supporting this year’s market?
Partner with us to empower more local entrepreneurs and make a meaningful difference.
