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Registration for the 2023 Naperville Children's Business Fair will open on April 1st at our updated website: https://www.childrensbusinessfair.org/naperville-chen
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Registration for the 2023 Naperville Children's Business Fair will open on April 1st at our updated website: https://www.childrensbusinessfair.org/naperville-chen
NOTE: Booth applications are now full with over 140 kidpreneurs participating! Please fill out the contact information above for updates about next year’s event. In the meantime, visit the fair this year to get a better idea of participating in the future!
As seen on FOX NEWS, NCTV17, and Patch ... the 2nd Annual Naperville Children's Business Fair! Come support over 80 businesses run by 140 local young entrepreneurs ages 5-14 at the outdoor fair on Saturday, August 6, from 10am-noon at the front of Naperville Central High School!
Our 2021 fair was a huge success, involving 70+ kids who started their own businesses through 56 booths and positively impacted an estimated 500 community members.
What the community had to say about last year's fair:
Very exciting opportunity for young people to get involved, start a business, and really make a positive contribution to our business community.
- Steve Chirico, Naperville mayor
My daughter had such a great time! She learned SO many life lessons through this experience. We are so grateful!
- Parent
For me it really helped me get my business off of the ground and get a good base of customers!
- Kidpreneur
It was better than just a lemonade stand.
- Parent
Hosted by
Athena Chen
🗓️ Started hosting in 2020
🚀
Has hosted
4 fairs
Hello!
We are led by a committee of local high schoolers from Naperville Central and Naperville North passionate about business. We're so excited to be hosting this year's fair and can't wait to impact hundreds of young kidpreneurs!
We will only be accepting businesses selling original, handmade items. Unfortunately, this means that resellers will not be able to participate.
Tents will not be provided, but are strongly encouraged, as the fair will be taking place outdoors. If you don't have a tent, no worries, as we will be able to put you under shade.
Why should I participate?
First off - it's incredibly FUN. You'll be able to meet tons of new friends and interact with experienced mentors along the way!
Even if you aren't interested in business as a future job, creating and running a business young allows kids to gain a variety of skills for any career, in a very hands-on way:
Money management
Organization
Customer service
Creative thinking
Time management
Leadership
... and more!
How do I apply? Can I apply as part of a group?
Applications 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.
Remember that if you need to back out after applying, please let us know at least 14 days in advance and contact us through this website, or napervillebusinessfair@gmail.com!
What happens after I apply?
We'll be reviewing all applications and will get back to you within 5 business days. Once you're admitted, get started on your business! We'll have a pre-fair informational session several weeks before the event, to go over how the fair will work.
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 if we receive more than 3 similar businesses, we will let later entries know if another applicant has a similar idea so the later entrant can decide what to do.
What will be provided?
The fair will be an outdoor event. Each business will be provided with an 8-foot table and 1-3 chairs.
Depending on sponsorships this year, kidpreneurs may also receive a Children's Business Fair tshirt and coupon for ice cream from a downtown Naperville business!
What will NOT be provided?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide overhead tenting to booths. Bringing your own tent is strongly recommended, though, as this is an outdoor event.
Electricity, water, and WiFi will not be provided.
Access to Naperville Central bathrooms may or may not be provided.
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 wanted to spark a sense of entrepreneurship in their children so they created the first Acton Children’s Business Fair in Austin, Texas, in 2007.
Our incredible sponsors
Children's Business Fair
Acton Academy
Next Great Adventure
The Alive Center
Naperville Public Library
Naperville Central High School DECA
Riverwalk Family Dental
Giordano's Naperville
Naperville School District 203
Naperville Education Foundation
Naperville Development Partnership
Cinnaholic Naperville
Firecakes Craft Donuts
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
Crumbl Cookies North Naperville
Join our mailing list
Participating booths
No Name
Diyarts
DK
Dare To Dream
SlimeByGrace
From Petals to STEM
My Unique Crafts
Zenith's Bakery
Contact us
Have a question for us? Contact us below and we will be in touch as soon as possible with
a reply. Thanks for your interest!
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.
