First off - it's incredibly FUN. You'll be able to meet tons of new friends and interact with experienced mentors along the way!

Even if you aren't interested in business as a future job, creating and running a business young allows kids to gain a variety of skills for any career, in a very hands-on way:

Money management
Organization
Customer service
Creative thinking
Time management
Leadership
Communication
... and more!

We are hosting 50+ businesses!

Develop a business idea! Check out this website for some possible products/services: 101+ Business Ideas for Kids. (https://mamalovesmoney.com/how-to-make-money-as-a-kid/)
Keep in mind different factors such as cost and advertising when creating your business!

Guide your child(ren) to creating their own business.
Let them do the thinking and planning! As much as you'd like to help them, this is a chance for kids to take matters into their own hands.

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.

Remember that if you need to back out after applying, please let us know at least 14 days in advance and contact us through this website, or napervillebusinessfair@gmail.com!

The application asks kids to think through some simple, but important elements of their business. Please allow your kids answer the questions independently, to the best of their abilities!

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?

We'll be reviewing all applications and will get back to you within 5 business days. Once you're admitted, get started on your business! We'll have a pre-fair Information Session hosted at the Naperville Public Library several weeks before the event, to go over how the fair will work.

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.

The fair will be an outdoor event with booths. Each business will be given a booth with an 8-foot table and 1-2 chairs. Tents may or may not be provided, depending on sponsors. Table cloths will not be provided.

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, their child’s business will be disqualified from the competition.
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.

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.