Durham Children's Business Fair Durham, NC
Saturday, March 19, 2022
11:00AM - 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.
The Acton Children's Business Fair will take place at the Golden Belt Campus on Saturday, March 19th from 11 am – 3 pm.
6 booths remain!
See the FAQs section for more details.
6 booths remain!
See the FAQs section for more details.
This event is hosted by Empowered Minds: An Acton Academy and 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.
NOTE: The fair will be held entirely outdoors. We will adhere to the local COVID-19 guidelines to ensure the safety of all attendees (masks, social distancing).
Hosted by
Valine Zeigler
🗓️ Started hosting in 2018
✅ Identity verified
🚀 Has hosted 8 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.
41 booths participating
Alston's Chocolate Smothered Oreos
A2Z Cafe
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.
How many businesses will you accept?
We have limited booths available. The application deadline is February 12th. Finalists will be notified on February 19th, one month prior to the fair.
Where should I begin?
Start with our resources page. Read inspiring stories about other young entrepreneurs and play games to hone your business skills.
What is the age range?
Vendors ages 6-15 may apply.
What is the age range?
Vendors ages 6-15 may apply.
How do I apply? Can I apply as part of a group?
An 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.
How much does it cost to have a booth?
The entry fee is $20 per business.
How do you submit payment?
ONLY submit payment if you are confirmed as a finalist (on February 19th).
Click HERE to pay via PayPal.
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 may limit the number of food booths, and will promote creativity.
How will the fair be set up?
Each business will get a 6-foot table and a chair for set up. 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 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.
