Observe the opportunity for children to launch their very own startup business!
Six to 14-year-old 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 up to 25 booths at the 1st annual event at Fairfield Civic Center on Saturday, April 21, 2018 from 10:00am - 1:00pm.
This event is hosted by Renew Refresh Reset Your Life and BRAVE, Inc. and sponsored by Acton Academy, the Acton School of Business and the generous support of our donors and 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.
We are a team of passionate entrepreneurs, mentors, speakers, authors, and parents who want our children to grow up with the understanding of How entrepreneurship works
Earning, savings, spending, investing money
Supply and demand and
The advantages, freedom, the pride of owning creating and owning, operating one's own business vs just seeking a job to make money and pay bills.
Our ultimate goal is to nurture wealth building through entrepreneurship, nurture various leadership styles (whether out front or behind the scenes).
What is the Metro Birmingham Children’s Business Fair?
The Metropolitan Birmingham Children’s Business Fair's goal is to encourage kids to tap into their creativity and teach them how to prepare for a life of passion doing what they love while a making living and building wealth at the same time.
This one-day event gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses, sell their own products and/or services using their own creative minds and branding capabilities.
How many businesses will you accept?
We will accept up to 25 businesses (possibly more depending on demand). A waitlist will be created once we meet our registration goal.
Applications must be submitted online. Please submit one application for each business and pay the $22 registration fee. Children working as a group should submit one application that includes each child’s information. No more than 3 participants per business and products must fall into a single category (i.e. clothing apparel, jewelry, crafts, baked goods (cupcakes, doughnuts, etc).
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. We can usually help them with their focus so they can participate.
How will the fair be set up?
The fair will be an indoor event with tables set. Each business will be given a 5-6 foot table and 1-3 chairs based on application/registration form. Tablecloths will not be provided. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity. No appetizers or entrees are permitted (per the Jefferson County Health Department)
Will electricity be available?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the booths.
What are the rules?
This event is designed to give children the experience of selling a product that they created with their own hands or a service of their own making. 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.
How did the Metro Birmingham Acton Children’s Business Fair get started?
In the spring of 2017, the founder of BRAVE, Inc. challenged a group of summer campers to start a business and sell their products or service. Each of the children almost immediately came up with ideas and began selling their product or service.
Taking that one step further, the co-organizer of this fair began researching for ways to encourage other kids to do the same but on a more wider scale. After doing some research, she stumbled upon Action Children's Business Fair and the Metro Birmingham Children's Business Fair was born.
Acton's 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. The Metro Birmingham Children's Business is a spin-off of the Acton Children's Business Fair.
Our incredible sponsors
The Metro Birmingham Children's Business Fair needs your help. If you would like to become a sponsor please email your contact information to bizsavvykids@gmail.com or click here for more info. Include your name, business name (if applicable), preferred phone number, website if applicable, and the best time to call.
The Acton Children's Business Fair does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin and admits and gives all hosts and participants access to the same rights, privileges, programs and activities.
