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We can't wait to see your entrepreneurial talent shine!
Acton Children's Business Fair Frederick, MD
Saturday, December 4, 2021
12:00PM - 3:00PM
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About the fair
Observe the opportunity for children to launch their very own startup business!
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 35 businesses at the 1st annual event in Downtown Frederick, MD on Saturday, December 4, 2021 from 12:00-3:00 pm. We will be setting up along Carroll Creek, outside the C. Burr Artz Library located at 110 E Patrick St, Frederick, MD 21701.
Please note that due to restrictions children will not be able to sell edible items.
The fair is open to children 6-17 years old. Registration I closed for 2021.
Please note that due to restrictions children will not be able to sell edible items.
The fair is open to children 6-17 years old. Registration I closed for 2021.
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.
This event is being coordinated by the Global STEM + AR Outreach Foundation, Inc, which mission is to promote awareness, stimulate interest, support, and make available engaging interdisciplinary activities in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Arts, and Reading.
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.
IMPORTANT UPDATES
Per the Health Department, Children can now sell prepackaged food such as chips, sodas, and water purchased at a reliable store such as "Costco, Sam's Club, or Walmart." Please note that the food can not be open and serve. It has to be handed packaged and sealed.
The registration deadline had been extended to October 15, 2021.
IMPORTANT UPDATES
Per the Health Department, Children can now sell prepackaged food such as chips, sodas, and water purchased at a reliable store such as "Costco, Sam's Club, or Walmart." Please note that the food can not be open and serve. It has to be handed packaged and sealed.
The registration deadline had been extended to October 15, 2021.
Hosted by
Damaris Ponciano-Jackson
🗓️ Started hosting in 2021
✅ Identity verified
⭐️ 4.9 (21)
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.
41 booths participating
Bee crafty
princesse's bows
And 39 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.
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 20 businesses.
We will accept up to 20 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.
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. Please note that due to restrictions children will not be able to sell edible items.
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. Please note that due to restrictions children will not be able to sell edible items.
What is on the application?
The application asks kids to think through some simple, but important elements of their business:
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?
How much does it cost to participate?
This year participation is free. Children normally pay $10-20 per business to participate, but because this is the first year of the fair in Frederick, MD and we want everyone to have the opportunity to participate, we are waiving the fee.
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.
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?
Each business will share an 6-8 foot table with one other business and 1-2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.
Will electricity be available?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the businesses.
Each business will share an 6-8 foot table with one other business and 1-2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.
Will electricity be available?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the businesses.
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.
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 (if the event is held outdoors), 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 will each business be judged?
Businesses will be divided into four categories by the age of the oldest business member: 6-8 Years old, 9-11 Years old, 12-14 Years old, 15-17 Years old. Each business will be judged based on the following judging criteria: Most Original, Highest Business Potential, and Best Presentation.
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.
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.
