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*COVID-19 Update* - Our fair has been moved to October 18, 2020.
Please note all our spots are full for the 2020 fair! Please join our mailing list!
Waterloo Region Children's Business Fair
Sunday, October 18, 2020
1:00PM - 4:00PM
This fair has ended
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About the fair
“Forget show and tell: These young entrepreneurs aim to show and sell.” ~ The Washington Post, May 30, 2017
Let the leaders of the future show you where they’re starting today!
At the Waterloo Region Children's Business Fair, children between the ages of 7-17 have the opportunity to launch their very own startup business and showcase it to the community (and the world!). They develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at our one-day marketplace.
The 2nd annual Waterloo Region Children's Business Fair is being held at Cambridge's newest and most talked-about venue - Tapestry Hall, located in downtown Galt (Cambridge), Sunday, October 18, 2020, from 1 pm – 4 pm.
Whether an entrepreneur is famous like Elon Musk or Oprah Winfrey, or they are one of the thousands of unsung business owners across Canada, these are the people who make sacrifices to innovate, create jobs, and serve their communities. We are excited to bring the Children's Business Fair to Waterloo Region, to help empower even more of our children to become the innovators and change-makers our Region is so well known for.
**ALL OUR SPOTS ARE FULL FOR 2020!
**ALL OUR SPOTS ARE FULL FOR 2020!
If you would like to sponsor the event contact us at kidpreneurwaterloo@gmail.com!
If you would like to volunteer at the event, please submit an application here!
If you are an entrepreneur and would like to be a mentor for the Kidpreneurs at the event, please complete this form!
"If you can dream it, you can do it" ~ Walt Disney
Hosted by
Azra Bajric
🗓️ Started hosting in 2018
🚀 Has hosted 2 fairs
We are a team of passionate entrepreneurs, teachers, mentors, and parents, who want our children to learn about entrepreneurship in a practical and fun way.
Frequently asked questions
ALL OF OUR SPOTS ARE FULL AT THIS TIME. YOU CAN STILL SUBMIT AN APPLICATION AND JOIN OUR WAIT LIST.
*** The following categories are full. Any applications for these items will be automatically declined.***
*** The following categories are full. Any applications for these items will be automatically declined.***
- Food/beverages
- Bracelets
- Slime
- Scrunchies
- Henna
- Face painting
- Hair accessories
- Plants
- Bath and body products, including soap
- Greeting cards
- Honey-based products
- Stuffed animals
- Play dough
- Thrift shops
- Tie die clothing/accessories
- Wands
- 3D printed items
- Clothing and accessories
- Candles
- Photography
- Art
*Scroll down for a list of open categories and ideas!
What is the Children’s Business Fair?
The Children's Business Fair inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneur. The largest entrepreneurship event for kids in North America (with over 250 fairs worldwide!), this one-day market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses.
We excited to give children and youth between the ages of 7-17 the opportunity to be entrepreneurs - boosting their confidence, teaching valuable lessons, and giving them an experience they will never forget.
How many businesses will you accept?
We will accept up to 90 businesses (78 product/service businesses and 12 food/beverage businesses).
*Please note that we have filled all 90 spots at this time. You can still submit an application to join our wait list.
*Please note that we have filled all 90 spots at this time. You can still submit an application to join our wait list.
When should I apply? What is the deadline?
We will be accepting applications on to our wait list until March 31st, 2020.
What is the approval criteria?
We will be looking at the following elements of your application and basing our approval on them.
- Handmade/hand-grown/hand-designed products will be given preference
- Applications that are detailed and thoughtfully completed by the kidpreneur(s) will be given preference.
- Original/creative ideas will be given preference.
- Applications that are missing information or with answers like "I don't know" or 'I'm not sure" will not be accepted.
How do I apply? Can I apply as part of a group?
Applications must be submitted online, through this website. Please submit one application for each business. Children working as a group should submit one application that includes each child’s information. No more than 3 participants per business.
Please make sure to answer the questions with as much detail as possible, and ensure that the form is complete before submitting it.
Is there a participation fee?
Is there a participation fee?
Yes, the cost to participate is $20 - the kidpreneur and parents each paying a portion of the total cost.
Kidpreneurs are required to pay $10 to secure a booth as part of their investment into their business. This investment is part of the authentic experience we are aiming to create for our kidpreneurs!
Parents are asked to contribute $10 towards the fair. This contribution allows us to provide the best possible experience for the kidpreneurs!
Kidpreneurs are required to pay $10 to secure a booth as part of their investment into their business. This investment is part of the authentic experience we are aiming to create for our kidpreneurs!
Parents are asked to contribute $10 towards the fair. This contribution allows us to provide the best possible experience for the kidpreneurs!
If your application is approved, the non-refundable vendor participation fee (total $20) must be paid within 7 days of acceptance into the fair by way of email money transfer.
What if I am not in the specified age bracket?
If your child is 6 or younger but they are partnered with an older child, please feel free to apply. Unfortunately, we will not be accepting anyone 18 years or older.
Please note that kidpreneurs must be able to participate in a busy and tiring full-day event, which is approximately 7 hours long (set up, selling and takedown). If this is too long or too much for your kidpreneur, please wait to apply when they are older and able to fully participate.
Please note that kidpreneurs must be able to participate in a busy and tiring full-day event, which is approximately 7 hours long (set up, selling and takedown). If this is too long or too much for your kidpreneur, please wait to apply when they are older and able to fully participate.
What is on the application?
The application asks kidpreneurs to think through some simple, but important elements of their 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?
I want to participate but I don't know what to sell!
There are so many great ideas out there! Check out these 4 websites for some DIY ideas (with how-to's) and we've put together a list of suggestions below. These categories are still open for applications on our wait list.
https://www.buzzfeed.com/mallorymcinnis/we-oughta-give-it-a-try
https://craftsonfire.com/2017/06/10-easy-diy-crafts-that-will-totally.html
https://diyjoy.com/crafts-to-make-and-sell/
https://moneypantry.com/diy-crafts-to-sell/
- Pet toys
- Pet treats
- Pet dishes
- Decorated tins
- Zipper pulls
- Bird houses or feeders
- Used or clearance books
- Refurbishing old to new
- Gift baskets
- Quilts
- Tutu’s for puppies
- Repurposed items
- Tell fortunes or do magic tricks
- Anything eco-friendly such as beeswax wraps or reusable bags
- Toys
- Stationary
- Suncatchers/dreamcatchers
- School supplies
- Office organizers
- Carnival game(s) (https://www.carnivalsavers.com/freeboothideas.html)
- Set up crafts for kids to make
- Decorative Pillows
- Paper lanterns
- Ornaments
- Bow ties
- Coasters
Will you keep my information private?
Yes! We are committed to keeping your personal information (such as your full name, email address, school, phone number etc.) private and will not share such information with any third-party. This information is only for internal purposes.
Will children be photographed or filmed during the event?
Yes! The event will be documented by a professional photographer and a professional videographer and the resulting digital media will be used to market the event and share its success with the community and the world! By applying for a booth at the fair, parents are thereby agreeing to allow the Waterloo Region Children's Business Fair permission to photograph and film their Child(ren) and use the resulting digital media at our discretion without compensation.
Some children will be selected for interviews by the filmmaker or news media at the fair and will have the choice to take part or to decline to speak in front of the camera.
What if someone else has the same business idea?
It depends! We will allow multiple businesses in certain categories such as art and jewelry, where the products will likely be very different and unique. We will limit other businesses (ex. Lemonade stand) to two or three, depending on the nature of the product or service. The sooner you apply, the better chance you have of securing your idea!
Can I sell food at the fair?
**All our food and beverage spots are now full. We are no longer accepting food/beverage applications.***
Yes! You may sell non-hazardous food items that do not support the growth of disease-causing microorganisms. Examples include dry goods and cereals, baked goods, cookies, bread, potato chips, popcorn and candy.
Yes! You may sell non-hazardous food items that do not support the growth of disease-causing microorganisms. Examples include dry goods and cereals, baked goods, cookies, bread, potato chips, popcorn and candy.
In order to be approved as a food business, you are required to go through a secondary application through Waterloo Region Public Health. There is additional paperwork required and they have the right to approve or decline any applications. Only businesses approved by Public Health can sell food/beverages at the fair. Food/beverage businesses apply through our application form first. We will provide detailed information on how to move on to the second step in the process and apply through Public Health.
How will the fair be set up?
Each business will be given a booth with a 6 or 8-foot table and one chair per kidpreneur.
Can I access an electrical outlet?
We are hoping to be able to accommodate requests for electrical outlets, but cannot guarantee that it is possible.
We are hoping to be able to accommodate requests for electrical outlets, but cannot guarantee that it is possible.
Where can I learn about entrepreneurship?
Unsure where to start? Our advice is to keep it simple.
First, think about what you can make with your own hands that others might enjoy. Next, picture how you might sell it. Finally, imagine the feeling (and responsibility) of having a little extra spending money as a result!
If you are accepted to the fair, we will provide you with a list of resources to get you started.
Feel free to do some research online about marketing, branding and profit. Explore examples of great product pitches, learn about interacting with customers, and get down to business creating your product or developing your service and putting the details together for your booth! Try practicing your pitch and customer service skills for family and friends at home!
You'll learn the most by getting your "hands dirty" and figuring things out all on your own.
Is this event eco-friendly?
Our goal is to create as small of a carbon footprint as possible! We are not permitting the use of single-use plastics at the fair this year and we are asking kidpreneurs to consider other ways they can be friendly to the environment while operating their businesses.
What are the rules?
What are the rules?
- Kidpreneurs must be between the ages of 7-17. Younger children can apply if they are partnered with an older child who is between the ages 7-17.
- This event is designed to give children the experience of selling a product or service. Parents of younger children may sit in the booth, but the children should be responsible for set up, customer interaction, and sales.
- Parents may help their child fill out the application, but we expect the children to do as much as possible by themselves.
- We will only accept up to maximum of two separate businesses per family (in order to give as many families as possible the opportunity to participate).
- It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to check their email (including spam) and social media communications from the CBF on a daily basis (and respond accordingly), as this is our primary means of communication with the group. If emails that require a response are not responded to within 72 hours, the business risks losing their spot in the fair.
- Deadlines and rules are taken seriously by our team. If you are approved to move to step 2 in the application process, you will have 7 days to complete the outlined requirements. Any business that does not complete step 2 within the 7 day period will lose their spot in the fair.
- Once you have applied and been approved, you are not permitted to change your business name, what you plan to sell, or add/remove members of your team. If you have a concern about one of these aspects of your business, you are required to get in touch with our administration team to discuss your request.
- You are required to follow all the rules and instructions provided to you regarding the fair.
- You are required to follow our eco-friendly event rules including recycling and avoiding the use of single-use plastics.
How did the Acton Children’s Business Fair get started?
Jeff and Laura Sandefer, owners of Acton Academy, and a few other families wanted to spark a sense of wonder and entrepreneurship in their children so they created the first Acton Children’s Business Fair in Austin, Texas, in 2007. That year, there were seven entrepreneurs and around 25 attendees. Now, there are over 115 entrepreneurs and 1,500 attendees at the Acton Children's Business Fair in Austin, and over 250 separate fairs all around the world.
Acton Children's Business Fair is the philanthropy arm of the Acton Academy and Acton MBA programs. The purpose of the philanthropy is to promote entrepreneurial skills among children and to help them find their personal mission in life.
