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Come see 100 youth entrepreneurs bringing their ideas to LIFE at our fair on May 15!
Omaha Children's Business Fair
Sunday, May 15, 2022
2:00PM - 4:00PM
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About the fair
Ignite entrepreneurship in your child through the 2022 Omaha Children's Business Fair, hosted by Acton Academy Omaha and Prairie STEM!
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 70 youth start-up businesses on Sunday, May 15 from 2:00 - 4:00 pm at the Omaha Palazzo, located near 132nd and Fort.
Event Activities:
12:00- Participant Check-In & Set-Up
2:00- Public Marketplace & Judging
4:00- Awards Ceremony
12:00- Participant Check-In & Set-Up
2:00- Public Marketplace & Judging
4:00- Awards Ceremony
A fun Launch Workshop will also be held on Thursday, April 21 from 5:00-6:30 pm to offer inspiration and support to participants and parents alike! Location at the Omaha Palazzo.
Our youth are capable of far more than we can imagine. When we can inspire them through stories of entrepreneurs who have gone before, emphasize the journey of growth over the result itself, and give them opportunity to learn through real-world, hands-on experiences, these young heroes will be inspired to discover their most precious gifts and a calling that will change the world.
This movement is hosted by Acton Academy Omaha and Prairie STEM and is sponsored by the Acton School of Business and the generous support of our donors and volunteers, many listed below. 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
Rachel Benson
🗓️ Started hosting in 2018
🚀 Has hosted 10 fairs
We are a team of passionate entrepreneurs, teachers, mentors, and parents, who want our children to learn about entrepreneurship in a practical and fun way.
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 70 businesses.
Where should I begin?
Unsure where to start? Our advice is to keep it simple.
- First, think about what you can make with your hands that others might enjoy.
- Next, picture how you might sell it.
- Finally, imagine the feeling (and responsibility) of having a little extra spending money as a result.
For inspiration for participants and parents alike, plan to attend our Launch Workshop happening on Thursday, April 21 from 5:00 - 6:30 pm (Location TBA). This fun event will include business advice from local entrepreneurs, stories from prior participants, an opportunity for youth to share their pitch and prototype product, and details about day-of logistics! Register to attend when you apply to the fair.
Learn more about the 3 Magic Seeds for starting a business and what the mindset of a hero looks like in this story, A Message to Garcia.
For more helpful tools, check out the following resource, Steps to Building Your Business.
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. Children ages 5-16 are welcome to apply.
Choosing to apply to the Omaha Acton Children’s Business Fair indicates that you agree to abide by the guidelines in our Policies & Procedures Document. Individuals violating the policies and procedures risk forfeiting their participation in the fair and application fee, based on the judgement of the Omaha Acton Children’s Business Fair staff.
Is there a fee to apply?
Choosing to apply to the Omaha Acton Children’s Business Fair indicates that you agree to abide by the guidelines in our Policies & Procedures Document. Individuals violating the policies and procedures risk forfeiting their participation in the fair and application fee, based on the judgement of the Omaha Acton Children’s Business Fair staff.
Is there a fee to apply?
Yes. There is a $20 non-refundable application fee per business to help cover the expenses of the event.
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 indoor event on the main level of the Omaha Palazzo. Each business will be given one 6-ft. table and 1-2 chairs. 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 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 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.
