Ever wondered how exciting it would be to witness the child or children in your life as they launch their very own startup business?!
Can you imagine how much their sense of personal pride and self-esteem would grow as they develop their own brand, create a product or service, build a marketing plan, and open up shop for all to see and experience??
Well, there is no need to imagine because that time has come!
Future Leaders Initiative (FLI) will host up to 25 vendor booths of rising entrepreneurs ages 6-17 at Showcase Winter Garden on Sunday, May 20th 2018, from 2:00 pm–6:00 pm.
This event is 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.
Hosted by
Shameka Thompson
🗓️ Started hosting in 2018
🚀
Has hosted
4 fairs
Future Leaders Initiative (FLI), an extension of Queen's Armour Enterprises LLC, is a passionate, committed and collaborative team of homeschooling parents, educators and entrepreneurs who want not only their own children, but any and all youth with a desire, to learn about entrepreneurship in a practical and fun way.
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.
What if I want just want to be an Event Sponsor? Any forms of sponsorship or donations toward making our fair wildly successful are appreciated and welcomed. Additionally, for those who would like their names or businesses highlighted and promoted for making this event possible, we offer three levels of sponsorship: Spotlight Sponsorship is $750-$1,500 Cash or In-kind donations. Featured Sponsorship is $500 to $749 Cash or in-kind donation. Affiliate Sponsorship is $100-$499 Cash or in-kind donation. You may also be a Contributor to the event with a cash donation of $1 - $99.Please note that each sponsorship level differs in it's promotional offerings and benefits. Please contact the organizers directly at FutureLeadersCBF@gmail.com to further discuss our sponsorship opportunities.
How many businesses vendors will you accept?
We will accept up to 25 businesses.
How much does it cost to be a vendor?
Vendor Booth registration is $20 for a single space large enough to accommodate a 6-foot table. will receive an invoice from us via the same email address you submitted in the application. The $20 vendor fee must be paid within 7 days of the invoice date.
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 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 with vendor booths. Each business will be given a booth with enough room for a 6-foot table. Vendor tables and table cloths will not be provided. Vendors are responsible for bringing their own tables, cloths and any else related to their booth set-up. Businesses requiring electricity or wifi should send email inquiries to FutureLeaderscbf@gmail.com.
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.
To ensure the highest levels of safety and enjoyment for everyone, we highly encourage that siblings or children 5 years old and younger be left home or with a childcare provider rather than attend the event unless they themselves are registered as vendors for the event.
Any child/ or children who are seen or found running around, playing, wondering in off limits areas or without proper parental supervision will be asked, along with the responsible parent/guardian, to leave the event.
Parents must supervise and care for their children at all times during the event.
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 applications, 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.
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.
