📣 APPLICANTS - Please check your email (including spam) for important logistics information for the fair!!! See you Saturday! :)

St. Charles Children's Business Fair

Saturday, May 21, 2022

8:00AM - 12:15PM

The Meadows at Lake Saint Louis

Meadow Cir Dr, Lake St Louis, MO 63367, USA

This fair has ended

About the fair

COULD A TEN-YEAR-OLD INVENT THE NEXT ÜBER?

Find out at the St. Charles, MO Children’s Business Fair, showcasing kids’ entrepreneurial genius!

Take part in this exciting opportunity for children to launch their very own startup/pop-up business!

Kids take the lead, creating a product or service, developing a brand, building a marketing strategy, then opening for customers at this unique one-day marketplace. The kidpreneurs are responsible for setup, sales, and interacting with customers.

We believe that principled entrepreneurs are heroes and role models for the next generation. Whether an entrepreneur is famous like Elon Musk 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.

Award Certificates and prizes will be presented for “Most Business Potential,” “Most Creative Business Idea,” and “Most Impressive Business Presentation.”

Our 3rd annual CBF event will take place at the Lake St. Louis Farmer's Market, Saturday, May 21 from 8:00am – 12:00pm. The Awards Ceremony will follow from 12:00pm-12:15pm.

This event is brought to you by Lighthouse International: an Acton Academy, Acton Academy, and the Acton School of Business.

Hosted by

Eliza Rivas

🗓️ Started hosting in 2019

✅ Identity verified

⭐️ 5.0 (3)

Eliza Rivas – Host, St. Charles Acton Children's Business Fair

Eliza is the founder of Lighthouse International, the first Acton Academy in Missouri, and has been empowering young entrepreneurs through the St. Charles Acton Children’s Business Fair for six years. She believes that every child is a hero in the making and is passionate about connecting young minds with real-world opportunities to foster independence, creativity, and leadership.

With over 25 years of experience in education, Eliza has dedicated her career to helping young people develop into global citizens who will one day better their communities and the world.

Her diverse background includes roles as a college admission counselor, an adjunct university professor, a high school Spanish teacher, and an elementary school English Language Assistant in Madrid, Spain. Throughout her career, she has received multiple awards and grants and has served as a mentor to educators nationwide.

Eliza is excited to continue championing young entrepreneurs through the 6th Annual St. Charles Acton Children’s Business Fair, where she looks forward to seeing the next generation of business leaders in action!

22 booths participating

Kailee’s Korner

Maria's Bomb Diggity Bath Bombs

And 20 others.

Contact host

Having issues? Report fair

Frequently asked questions

How Much Does It Cost?

The cost to participate has been covered by our generous sponsors!
What is the Acton Children’s Business Fair?

The Acton Children’s Business Fair inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneurs. The largest entrepreneurship event for kids in North America, this one-day pop-up marketplace gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses.

How many businesses will you accept?

We will accept up to 40 kid vendors at this year's event.

Where should I begin?

Check out the links below! Read inspiring stories about other young entrepreneurs, research business ideas, play games to hone your business skills, and write your business plan.
https://www.kebloom.com/blog/10%20Inspiring%20Kid%20Entrepreneurs
https://www.fundera.com/blog/kid-entrepreneurs
https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5051-young-entrepreneurs.html
https://www.businessinsider.com/successful-child-entrepreneurs-2019-2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YGUfWA-Xco
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YCGM7FiCGg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XDI0nIZA68
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XKXe41X-Pc
Business Ideas
101+ Business Ideas for Kids (https://olm.bloomington.k12.mn.us/sites/default/files/content_file_attachments/101%20Kids%20Business%20Ideas.pdf)
https://www.pinterest.com/childrensbusinessfair/
How to write a business plan
http://bizkids.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/Kids-Business-Plan.pdf
Entrepreneurship Games
Coffee Shop Game - Play Game (https://www.coolmathgames.com/0-coffee-shop)
Price Point Game - Play Game (https://sims.myej.org/pricepoint/)
Galactic Zappers Game - Play Game (https://sims.myej.org/galacticzappers/)
Robo Rush Game - Play Game (https://sims.myej.org/roborush/)
Fistful of Dollars Game - Play Game (https://sims.myej.org/fistfulofdollars/)
Lemonade Stand-Off Game - Play Game (https://sims.myej.org/lemonadestandoff/)

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.

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 an outdoor event. A limited amount of 8' tables will be provided. Tents/canopies will NOT be provided. You may bring one from home but the LSL Farmers Market requires EACH leg to have a 40lb weight attached. Table cloths, chairs, and display decorations are encouraged to be brought from home.

Will electricity be available?

Electricity will not be available at this year's fair.

What are the rules?

This event is designed to give children the experience of creating and selling a product or service. Ideally, this includes the making and marketing of this product as well. Parents may coach and ask questions throughout the process. However, if an adult is found selling or promoting a child’s product or service, their child’s business will be disqualified from the competition.

Parents may sit in the back of the booth, but the children should be responsible for the display, customer interaction, and sales.

Parents may help their children 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.