📣
All booths are full and applications are now closed. It will be a big event this year! Please come!
If you missed the application window, please join the email list to be notified of applications for the fair next year.
Acton Children's Business Fair - Bountiful, UT
Saturday, May 7, 2022
3:30PM - 6:00PM
This fair has ended
Find another fair
About the fair
Have you ever experienced the thrill of selling something you made? Something that was all you - and someone was willing to pay you $ for it? When you create something of value for another person - people are willing to pay for it. Your ideas and hard work feel valued. You gain the confidence and freedom.
The Acton Children's Business Fair is not for everyone. In fact, it is only for younger entrepreneurs ages 5-15. Parents CANNOT help with anything other than logistics and funding (they loan you the money). It will be very tempting for them to help you succeed. Your challenge is to refuse any attempt of their help. This experience may be difficult for you (perhaps you will not sell anything) or very invigorating (you may be able to pay back your parents and put some cash in your pocket). Either way, it's a learning experience you and your family will remember. You must develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at our one-day marketplace. You will love it!
CHOICE is hosting the 2022 Acton Children's Business Fair in Bountiful, Utah. In 2021, we had 45 mini businesses and 80 budding entrepreneurs! This year, we'll allow up to 50 mini businesses, with preference to businesses nearer to Bountiful. The business fair will take place in rain or shine on Saturday, May 7, 2022 from 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm.
This event is sponsored by Acton Academy, the Acton School of Business, Next Great Adventure, CHOICE, Green Gummy Bear 501(c)3, Mountain West Small Business Finance, My Tech High and the generous support of many donors and volunteers. We all believe that principled entrepreneurs are heroes and role models for the next generation. You are the next generation of entrepreneurs and we are excited for your experience!
This year, we're grateful to have Mountain West Small Business Finance running our awards. They will judge and award prizes in various categories. We give awards with little fanfare.
We would love to see hundreds of customers. If we all do a great job advertising, we could have hundreds in attendance!
The price to participate in the business fair is $15. This amount should be earned and paid for by the budding entrepreneur(s). Each mini business will need to bring a table and chair. You can decorate it if you wish. You may bring and setup a canopy/tent.
This year, we're grateful to have Mountain West Small Business Finance running our awards. They will judge and award prizes in various categories. We give awards with little fanfare.
We would love to see hundreds of customers. If we all do a great job advertising, we could have hundreds in attendance!
The price to participate in the business fair is $15. This amount should be earned and paid for by the budding entrepreneur(s). Each mini business will need to bring a table and chair. You can decorate it if you wish. You may bring and setup a canopy/tent.
Hosted by
Paul Tanner
🗓️ Started hosting in 2020
✅ Identity verified
🚀 Has hosted 5 fairs
Paul & JeVonne Tanner created CHOICE and CHOICE is hosting this event for the community.
55 booths participating
Scary Faces Inc.
Octo
And 53 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?
We will accept up to 50 businesses.
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?
Application 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 to think through some simple, but important elements of their business:
- What product or service do you plan to sell?
- What is the name of your business (be creative and clever)
- 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 in a parking lot. Each mini business will set up along the perimeter of the parking lot. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.
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 or service. If a parent is found selling or promoting a child’s product or service, their child’s business will be asked to leave.
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 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.
