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.
This product or service can be the brainchild of a class, a group of students, or an individual, as long as the driving entrepreneur is 17 years of age or under!
We will host between 30 and 50 booths at the 1st annual, 2022 East Coast Job-Jam at the Camp Landing, "Artsy-Fartsy Walk" on October 8th, 2022 from 8am – 5pm.
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.
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
Patricia Parsons
🗓️ Started hosting in 2021
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Has hosted
1 fair
The Central Job Bank is a comprehensive resource for job seekers and employers alike.
People can search through our online employment and enrichment resources, or they can meet us in person for a career consultation at our Opportunity Center located at 600 29th Street in Ashland, KY. There, they can work on their resume, apply for jobs, take classes, meet with recruiters and HR reps, and even get a job for the day.
In our Build-A-Business center, we can help budding entrepreneurs solidify their business plan, apply for start-up capital, and find out where to go for grants, resources and marketing.
Our mentorship program teams clients with professionals who have seen a thing or two. No matter if you have a difficult background, if you have never had a job before, or even if this is a major career change, we have the solution for you.
Local Volunteer and Short Term Mission options: CJBOC provides a host of local volunteer opportunities appropriate for the entire family and Christian Missions training, planning, and resource support!
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 50 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?
Application must be submitted online. Groups or classes may apply as one business. Please submit one application for each separate business. Children working as a group should submit one application that includes each child’s information. No more than 3 participants per business. The Shark Tank event has a separate form, very similar to the online application, that will need to be mailed in with the registration fee. JJ ACTON SHARK TANK Registration.pdf156.56 KB
What is on the application?
The application includes basic contact and general information, and 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 a booth with a table, full-cover tenting, 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 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.
Our incredible sponsors
Children's Business Fair
Acton Academy
Next Great Adventure
WeLoveLocal.shop
Camp Landing
National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association
Motor Carrier Solutions
Drug Free Workplace Solutions
The Winchester
Central Jobbank and Opportunity Center
Smokin J's
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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!
Acton Children's Business Fair admits hosts and participants of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to them. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its policies and programs.
