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The Launch meet up is on Saturday, April 28th.
This is where accepted businesses can meet fellow entrepreneurs, ask questions, and share ideas. Attendance is encouraged, but not required.
Acton Children's Business Fair Oakland County, MI
Saturday, May 19, 2018
2:00PM - 4:30PM
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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 30 booths at the 1st annual Acton Oakland County Children's Business Fair at 530 Pine St, Rochester, MI 48307 on May 19th, 2018 from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
This event is hosted by Acton Academy Oakland County, the Acton School of Business, Rochester Chamber of commerce 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.
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 30 booths at the 1st annual Acton Oakland County Children's Business Fair at 530 Pine St, Rochester, MI 48307 on May 19th, 2018 from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
This event is hosted by Acton Academy Oakland County, the Acton School of Business, Rochester Chamber of commerce 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
Rucha Patel
🗓️ Started hosting in 2018
🚀 Has hosted 4 fairs
We are a team of passionate entrepreneurs, mentors, and parents, who want our children to learn about entrepreneurship in a practical and fun way.
18 booths participating
SadieCakes Baked Goods
Nichole’s Soap for PAWS
And 16 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 will accept up to 30 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.
How do I apply? Can I apply as part of a group?
The 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.
There is no application fee, but we do collect a $10 participation fee (per business) mailed or given the day of the Launch Event on 28th April.
After applying, children bring their parents or guardians to attend the Launch Event. This is where accepted businesses can meet fellow entrepreneurs, ask questions, and share ideas. Attendance is encouraged but not required.
The Launch Event will take place on Saturday, April 28th at Acton Academy of Oakland County Rochester MI. You will receive an email launch event details after your application is accepted.
After applying, children bring their parents or guardians to attend the Launch Event. This is where accepted businesses can meet fellow entrepreneurs, ask questions, and share ideas. Attendance is encouraged but not required.
The Launch Event will take place on Saturday, April 28th at Acton Academy of Oakland County Rochester MI. You will receive an email launch event details after your application is accepted.
The children plan their business at every level: product, service, marketing, accounting, cost of goods, pricing, etc. During this process, they learn a sense of wonder, the importance of hard work, taking responsibility, and gaining confidence in the next challenge.
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 a tented outdoor event with booths. Each business will be given 6-foot table and 1-2 chairs. Tablecloths will not be provided.
We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.
Food products may be sold, but may not be prepared or warmed in the booth. List all the ingredients used.
We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.
Food products may be sold, but may not be prepared or warmed in the booth. List all the ingredients used.
Will electricity be available?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the booths.
What are the rules?
Applicants must be between the ages of 6 - 13 on or before January 1st, 2018.
Parents of younger children may sit in their booth, but the children are to be responsible for the setup, sales and interacting with the customers.
This event is designed to give children a taste of selling a product. Please let them have that experience.
Parents of younger children may sit in their booth, but the children are to be responsible for the setup, sales and interacting with the customers.
This event is designed to give children a taste of selling a product. Please let them have that experience.
Parents may help their child fill out the application, but we expect the children to do as much as possible by themselves.
Is there a fee to participate in the Children's Business Fair?
There is a $10 participation fee due the day of or before the event.
My 2 children are selling separate items, can their tables be assigned next to each other?
We do not assign tables, it is first come first serve. Check-in starts at 1 p.m. (the selling starts at 2 p.m.)
Can my child make multiple types of items to sell?
Of course! It's their business and one of the many business decisions for your young entrepreneur to make.
Can I drop off my child and then leave?
We are not staffed to supervise individual children and parents are required to stick around. To provide the full entrepreneurial experience, try to remain as hands-off as possible, letting the kids take charge. Use the free time to check out the other booths!
My child is registered for a table, what time should we arrive to start setting up?
Check-in for the young entrepreneurs starts at 1 p.m. They have until 2 p.m. to prepare their table with their items/decorations. 2-4:30 PM is when they sell to the public.
Where can my child get business ideas?
Get inspired by watching videos of other entrepreneurship fairs around the country:
- Child Business Fair in DC
- 8-year-olds become business savvy in Austin Texas.
- Arizona Child's Business Fair
- Children become Entrepreneurs in Austin TX
- Children's Business Fair 2010 - Austin TX
- Children's Business Fair 2011 - Austin TX
I've submitted my application. Now what?
Once we receive your application, we will send you an email with details on how to proceed and all you need to know in preparation for the event.
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
