2021 Richmond Children's Business Fair event image
📣 Our in person Richmond Children's Business Fair will take place on Saturday, July 17th, 2021 from 1:00-4:00 PM. Registration is CLOSED, but you can still register to be included on the wait list. For questions, email richmondchildrensbusinessfair@gmail.com.

2021 Richmond Children's Business Fair

Saturday, July 17, 2021

1:00PM - 4:00PM

Science Museum of Virginia

2500 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23220, USA

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About the fair
Our event will take place at the Thalhimer Pavillion at the Science Museum of Virginia.


Click HERE for FREE Tickets

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. 

Originally started in Austin, Texas, the Acton Children's Business Fair (ACBF) has grown to cities including Chicago, Phoenix, Grand Rapids, Dallas, and Los Angeles.

The Youth Business Exchange and the Metropolitan Business League are proud to host the 4th Annual Richmond Children's Business Fair on Saturday, July 17th!  

There will be a $25 entry fee per business. Youthpreneurs must be between the ages of 5-17 to participate. Spaces will be limited due to many of our 2020 participants opting to participate in 2021.

We want to make sure that the youthpreneurs have a positive experience without added pressure; therefore, participants will not be judged for this event. 

This event is sponsored by Acton Academy and the Acton School of Business. Other sponsors and partners will be announced in January 2020. 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.

MEET THE 2020 AND 2021 RICHMOND CHILDREN'S BUSINESS FAIR PARTICIPANTS!

Spoiled Doggie Treats
Keep It Cute, Sis
B 2 Smooth
Touch'D By Jahmari
KC Cosmetics
Ankh Kreations
Laila & Shay
Twin Creations
The Roasted Bean
Cameron’s Kitchen
Sol’s Simple Sweets
Reign & Taij’s Homemade Lemonade
K & J Designs
M & M Creative Arts
Jacory’s Drawing Time
Kele’s and Kota’s Artful Creations
Fun Rocks
Dre’s Art
Cherry's Books and Crafts
Jazzy J’s Creations LLC
Bead Me Up Bella
Zoey’s Charms
Judy’s Jewels
Bracelets by Marissa
Little People Big Faith, LLC
Heavenly Oil Scrubs
The Glamm
J's Jewels
Ladybug Slime Shop
Katsuki Art
Quinton's Pillow Factory
Mocha Kidz
Sifiy Cosmetics
Ahkirations
Tori's World 
Gloss & Glitter
Aasiaj Cosmetics
Kid A Ling
Chloe's Closet
Limit To No World
Root
I AM
Sleeping Beauties
Handcrafts Unlimited
AngelSweets
Rachel's Harvest
H & M Education Station
Ptah's Penny Candy
T. Moore Creations
Hear Our Voices
Paris's Glam World
Kat's Toy Critic Shop
The Cupcake Corner
Moon Bear Kinds
Kayla's Creation
Stirbreezie's 
Pretty Brainz
ArtiFab
Glossy Empress
Gillens Sisters' Sweets
Sprinkles Cafe
Zy'Aire's Nail Spa
Madeline the Maker
Greyson's Gears and Chains
Phatboi Apparel
Fearfully & Wonderfully Made

Take a look at the media coverage of our previous events:

2018 

2019

WTVR- March 1
https://wtvr.com/2019/03/01/child-entrepreneurs/?fbclid=IwAR3kMFHCS2_UNAbyP3OQOf1F5QkOBJIyYurcOw9mbaXYW6XGsvlnPpqH9ns


WRIC TV 8- March 5
https://www.wric.com/video/richmond-children-s-business-fair_20190306162829/1830702859?fbclid=IwAR1FxZEEE40Mms1KQ_wYfCevNho6LwcAPuOxMMFGqw5Fq6FRDgNJ1hpYD88


NBC 12- February 26
http://www.nbc12.com/video/2019/02/26/richmond-children-business-fair/?fbclid=IwAR2PggIHnFGNJVr0svksddVPesnw6bXOdwFMfnvK5hxCLdDL6kv7z7wEsaw


NBC 12- March 8
https://www.facebook.com/KarlaRedditteNBC12/videos/598279913977143/?__xts__[0]=68.ARA2bVne56kiu2fzdl1wC2fLn96Ar7mkRvqDEMuuaKXoBPCg0_E2VxWC3DZQSwBFPvB729umDWbAmAxxgFjM9TSSZGH0-EwYE6AFzdIbOMJp_w0NoMf9Agrh4KDOGqcvGpHEnK7z2MZ6NLT4pRcOav01GhLp5JVP55j5MukXFgANzzSyUl-7kC5-kqQgn9q43rxnnUQfNrbSSdCipTkykvsfkWNFqEdmRtST-zjF58aJo1bQI9lM0yL3BkJGoRezWYhedAP5nfS3EFbKYD4Vo6tPQQDP2yviQIcQMqKunDQ2JBajGsumi1ZahAtCuKhiwhfOnjJA_4XvsGG0jnDO3zlvS-soB--rnGKkJA&__tn__=-R


CEO Magazine
https://www.facebook.com/yberva/posts/2168488043209252?__tn__=-R



Hosted by

CJ Walker

🗓️ Started hosting in 2018

✅ Identity verified

⭐️ 5.0 (4)

Our organization, the Youth Business Exchange, has hosted the Richmond Children's Business Fair since 2018! We've helped hundreds of youth start and maintain their businesses. Give us the opportunity to do the same for your youthpreneur. 

95 booths participating

Kennedi Beads and More

Scrub-a-dub

And 93 others.

Contact host

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. We will accept categories in the following:
  • Art
  • Beauty
  • Clothing
  • Food & Drink
  • Health & Wellness
  • Home Goods
  • Inspirational
  • Pet Care
  • Toys
  • Miscellaneous

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 booths. Each business will be given a booth with an 6-foot table and 2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided.   

Will electricity be available?

We have limited electrical outlets that provide electricity to the booths.

What are the rules? 

This event is designed to give children the experience of selling a product or service. 

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.

Our incredible sponsors



Youth Business Exchange, Richmond Children's Business Fair Host

The Richmond Children's Business Fair is hosted by the Youth Business Exchange (YBE) and the Metropolitan Business League (MBL).

YBE equips entrepreneurs ages 5-18 in Virginia with business essentials and support and to assist parents of youth entrepreneurs build a healthy foundation needed for their child to succeed in their ventures.

The Metropolitan Business League, Richmond Children's Business Fair Host

The Metropolitan Business League promotes economic prosperity in the Richmond Metropolitan area through leadership, education, training and advocacy for small, women-and minority-owned businesses.
 

A huge shout out goes to our 2020 Sponsors:

Richmond Kids Expo

The Richmond Kids Expo is a proud sponsor of our event! The Richmond Kids Expo takes place on Saturday, February 22, 2020. Find out more at www.RichmondKidsExpo.com


First Home Care


Minor Productions


Richmond Family Magazine


Macaroni Kid


Your Day Entertainment

Lifelines To Success


On The Mic With Mike


Subway of Winding Brook (Ashland)

The Barry Farmer Morning Show With Sharon Lizzy

We also want to thank our supporters:

Science Museum of Virginia
The Richmond Flying Squirrels
Launch Trampoline
VCU RAMS
Patricia Clements
Diane Neylan
Angela Patton
Tia Thomas







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© 2025 Acton Children's Business Fair, by Acton Academy.

Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy

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.