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Guildford Children's Business Fair, UK
Saturday, April 4, 2020
11:00AM - 3:00PM
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About the fair
The Children’s Business Fair UK gives young entrepreneurs aged 7-17 the opportunity to launch their very own business, sell to real customers and make their own money. They develop a brand, build a product or service, create a marketing strategy and then open for business at our one-day marketplace event.
The possibilities for creating products are limitless. Past businesses have included handmade inventions, greeting cards, baked goods, handcrafted jewellery and toys, t-shirts, decorative crafts, scented candles, needlecraft and even candy-floss.
Future leader, captain of industry or millionaire entrepreneur? Apply now to launch!
Hosted by
Sam Rogerson
🗓️ Started hosting in 2020
🚀 Has hosted 4 fairs
We’re a team of entrepreneurs, educators and parents on a mission to help the next generation discover a calling and change the world.
We started the Children’s Business Fair, because we know that, through hands-on learning and real-world problem solving, our brilliant young entrepreneurs will quickly acquire a set of skills vital for life both in school and beyond.
Children’s Business Fair participants are grittier, more determined and unafraid of failure; they know how to solve problems creatively; how to collaborate with their peers; how to listen and communicate effectively; they know how to think critically and constantly improve their businesses.
We truly believe that young people are far more capable than any of us think. When they lead themselves, it’s astonishing to witness quite how much they can achieve.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Guildford Children’s Business Fair?
The Guildford Children’s Business Fair is a one-day marketplace that gives you the opportunity to launch and showcase your very own businesses, learn what it takes to be an entrepreneur and earn your own money.
When and where will it be held?
Our next fair is being held on Saturday 4th April 2020, in the Holy Trinity Church on Guildford High Street.
Set up is from 9.30am and doors open to the public at 11am.
Who can participate?
Entrepreneurs aged 7 to 17 on the date of the business fair can participate.
How does it work?
1) First submit your application. When selecting businesses to participate in the business fair, we look for:
The Guildford Children’s Business Fair is a one-day marketplace that gives you the opportunity to launch and showcase your very own businesses, learn what it takes to be an entrepreneur and earn your own money.
When and where will it be held?
Our next fair is being held on Saturday 4th April 2020, in the Holy Trinity Church on Guildford High Street.
Set up is from 9.30am and doors open to the public at 11am.
Who can participate?
Entrepreneurs aged 7 to 17 on the date of the business fair can participate.
How does it work?
1) First submit your application. When selecting businesses to participate in the business fair, we look for:
a. Complete applications, with all questions answered.
b. Evidence that the application and the business are the work of the child and not the adult—we don’t expect polished applications!
c. Plans by the young entrepreneur to pay back any loans/financial assistance he/she may receive.
2) Applicants will receive a welcome pack.
3) After our launch session, applicants will receive an email telling them whether their application has been accepted.
4) Once accepted, and having completed your research, entrepreneurs plan their business, design and build their product/service and get marketing.
5) On the day of the fair, set up your stall and start selling to real customers.
The fair will take place in The Holy Trinity Church, High Street, Guildford. Each business will be given a 4ft x 2ft table and two chairs. The rest is up you.
**Please note – electricity cannot be provided at the venue.
How many businesses will you accept?
We aim to accept up to 40 businesses.
Is there a fee to participate?
We will collect a £20 participation fee from all accepted businesses. This is to reserve the entrepreneur’s spot at the fair and hold them accountable to attend, as stalls are limited. If there is a hardship circumstance, please enquire for assistance at info@childrensbusinessfair.co.uk
Returning businesses receive 50% discount on their stand fee.
Refunds will not be issued for cancellations after 14 days before the event.
Where should I begin?
When you apply, we will send you a starter pack called My Business Plan. It’s designed to give you inspiration for your business and help you get to grips with a simple business plan.
It’s totally optional, but participants from previous fairs have found it very useful.
When you apply, we will send you a starter pack called My Business Plan. It’s designed to give you inspiration for your business and help you get to grips with a simple business plan.
It’s totally optional, but participants from previous fairs have found it very useful.
How do I apply? Can I apply as part of a group?
- Applications must be submitted online.
- Please submit one application for each business.
- If you are working as a group, you should submit one application that includes each of your teammates’ information.
- No more than 3 participants per business.
What is on the application?
The application asks you to think through some simple but important elements of your business:
- What product or service do you plan to sell?
- What price will you charge for each product/service?
- How much will each product/service cost you?
- How will you pay for your startup costs? If someone is helping you with your startup costs, how will you pay that person back?
- How will you advertise/market your business before the fair?
- At the end of the fair, how will you determine if your business was a success?
What if someone else has the same business idea?
Two cupcake businesses? Not a problem. We will let market forces play out, though we will let later entries know if another applicant has a similar idea so the later entrant can decide what to do.
What are the rules?
This event is designed to give young entrepreneurs the experience of creating a business and selling a product or service. Whilst parents can help your fill out the application, we expect participants to do as much as possible by themselves.
Please note, if a parent is found creating a business for a participants or selling or promoting their product or service, your business will not be eligible for the category awards.
Parents of younger children may sit by stand, but participants should be responsible for set up, customer interaction and sales.
Will there be prizes?
Yes. We have awards in specific categories: Best Product, Best Stand and Best Sales Presentation and Judge’s Choice. Cash prizes in each category will be awarded at the end of the fair.
All entries will be automatically entered into the competition.
Judges will ask the entrepreneurs questions about the fundamentals of their business, such as how they came up with product prices and who their target market is. Judges will also evaluate how much of the business reflects their own work (versus parents’).
Judges will ask the entrepreneurs questions about the fundamentals of their business, such as how they came up with product prices and who their target market is. Judges will also evaluate how much of the business reflects their own work (versus parents’).
What advice do you have for parents?
Our experience has shown that young entrepreneurs enjoy and learn considerably more when parents step back from the process.
Remember to keep this about your young entrepreneurs. Let them imagine, create, and problem-solve. Resist the temptation to help out. Your job is to maintain enthusiasm and provide encouragement.
Keep it simple. Let the business plan, booth, and sales reflect them at his/her best – not your best.
Let them make mistakes and learn from them. Let them problem-solve and come up with their own solutions. Let them be messy! Let them be Chair of the Board, the CEO! Let them own their ideas.
If your child gets stuck, return to the key question for their entrepreneurial journey: “What can I make with my own hands that others might enjoy?”
How did the Children’s Business Fair get started?
The Children’s Business Fair was originally developed in 2007 by Acton Academy – an organisation based in Austin, Texas. Acton believes in the power of work and entrepreneurship to improve self-esteem and build strong communities.
After several successful fairs, founders Jeff and Laura Sandefer gave others the opportunity others to host their own fairs. Children’s Business Fairs have since spread all over the US and around the word.
