Teens Now Talk on Our Side
For many people, the Alderney Landing Market is a place where community members gather, and buy things like fresh produce, home baked goods, and artisan creations.
But for the established business mind of publisher, speaker, professional development coach, wardrobe consultant, and fashion designer Jessica Bowden, M.S.M, Alderney Landing Market was something more.
Jessica Bowden, M.S.M, creator of Teens Now Talk Apparel with some of her Black Lives Matter apparel
“Alderney Landing was my new opportunity”
Teens Now Talk Apparel at the Alderney Landing Market
Teens Now Talk Apparel market table
Having founded the award-winning quarterly publication “Teens Now Talk Magazine” in 2005, Jessica joined the Alderney Landing Market in 2020 with a vivid understanding of the power of community. “Teens Now Talk” had developed an apparel line to raise awareness and funds for events that educated youth on personal, social, educational and career development. To date, the funds raised have provided over 3000 backpacks and learning materials to youth in communities all over Nova Scotia.
Youth making use of their new backpacks from Teens Now Talk Apparel
Backpacks from Teens Now Talk Apparel
“I can make a ripple by myself - I can make a wave with others”
As a strong force for change, and unafraid to send positive messages for social movement - “Teens Now Talk” faced obstacles when it came to finding a physical space to do their first Black Lives Matter apparel pop up. Within hours of receiving a last-minute cancellation for her planned pop-up store - a mutual friend introduced Jessica to Alderney Landing Executive Director Bea MacGregor, who immediately arranged a vendor space for “Teens now Talk Apparel” at the Saturday Farmers Market.
Community members holding Teens Now Talk Apparel at the Alderney Landing Market
Community members holding Teens Now Talk Apparel at the Alderney Landing Market
Jessica and her team quickly came to call Alderney Landing “home”. During the height of Covid-19, Jessica recalls the support that she and other vendors received, including a push to engage online sales channels to maintain a consistent connection to the community.
“I can’t kudos the staff enough – they helped me with a place to grow and impact the communities”
Community members holding up their new Teens Now Talk Apparel at the Alderney Landing Market
Jessica reflects on Alderney Landing as a place where Teens Now Talk was able to educate, grow, and make community change.
Now in 2023, their growth continues. Teens Now Talk Apparel can be found at teensnowtalkapparel.com and in Jessica’s new store location, UbU4U located in Scotia Square Mall.
Jessica Bowden, M.S.M in front of her store UbU4U, located in Scotia Square Mall
Teens Now Talk Magazine reaches over 40,000 quarterly readers. Are you one of them? Check out the incredible work being done by teens, for teens at teensnowtalk.com
