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UPDATE: This year we have TWO time slots available for vendors. PLEASE READ the FAQ'S!!!
Memphis Children's Business Fair
Saturday, October 3, 2020
11:00AM - 6:00PM
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About the fair
Observe the opportunity for children to launch their very own startup business!
Kids develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at our one-day marketplace.
We will host a Fall fair for on Saturday, October 3, 2020, from 11am – 6pm.
This event is sponsored by Acton Academy & School of Business, BookIt4Life Book & Social Club, The Cantrell Family, and the generous support of our volunteers. We all believe that principled entrepreneurs are heroes and role models for the next generation.
Whether an entrepreneur is famous like Elon Musk or Oprah Winfrey or they are one of the thousands of unsung business owners across this country, these are the people who make sacrifices to innovate, create jobs and serve their communities.
Hosted by
Shera Cantrell
🗓️ Started hosting in 2019
✅ Identity verified
⭐️ 5.0 (5)
We are a team of passionate entrepreneurs, mentors, and parents, who want our children to learn about entrepreneurship in a practical and fun way.
21 booths participating
Yellowe Kids Co
Neria's kool-aid pickles stand
And 19 others.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Acton Children’s Business Fair?
The Acton Children’s Business Fair inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneur. The largest entrepreneurship event for kids in North America, this one-day market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses.
How many businesses will you accept?
Our fair will allow us to accept up to 30 businesses. Businesses will be divided into two time slots, allowing 15 vendors per slot. Time slots are first come, first serve with completed applications.
Our fair will allow us to accept up to 30 businesses. Businesses will be divided into two time slots, allowing 15 vendors per slot. Time slots are first come, first serve with completed applications.
Where should I begin?
Start with our resources page. Read inspiring stories about other young entrepreneurs and play games to hone your business skills.
How do I apply? Can I apply as part of a group?
Applications must be submitted online. 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.
Once your application is submitted and approved, you will be contacted by email to select your time slot. An invoice to pay the vendor fee of $20 per time slot (NOT per participant) will be sent at that time. Vendor space will not be reserved until fee is submitted.
Once your application is submitted and approved, you will be contacted by email to select your time slot. An invoice to pay the vendor fee of $20 per time slot (NOT per participant) will be sent at that time. Vendor space will not be reserved until fee is submitted.
What is on the application?
The application asks kids 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?
What if someone else has the same business idea?
Two cupcake businesses? Not a problem. In general, 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.
How will the fair be set up?
The fair will be a hosted in the center court of the Wolfchase Galleria. Each vendor will be provided with a rectangle table, two chairs, and one black tablecloth. There will be NO ELECTRICITY available for use.
What are the rules?
This event is designed to give children the experience of selling a product or service. If a parent is found selling or promoting a child’s product or service as their own, their child’s business will be disqualified from the competition.
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.
How did the Acton Children’s Business Fair get started?
Jeff and Laura Sandefer 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.
