Lincoln County's Holiday Children's Business Fair
Saturday, April 12, 2025
10:00AM - 2:30PM
Currently accepting applications 🏁
Apply to the fair
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 plus booths at the 3rd event in Moscow Mills, MO on Saturday, April 12, 2025 from 10 am – 2:30 pm at the Moscow Mills Lion Club across from Fastlane off Hwy C. Set up will begin at 830 am. All booths must be set up and ready to sell at 10 am AND to add to the excitement, there will be table/booth judging and prizes, and a special guest visitor for a photo opportunity for the upcoming Easter holiday!
This event is sponsored by Acton Academy, the Acton School of Business, Christie Colvin Photography, The Bead Space 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. Payment for table space can be done via the PayPal link. Please cover PayPal fee costs so that the full amount goes to the cost of the space.
Hosted by
Christie Colvin
🗓️ Started hosting in 2024
✅ Identity verified
⭐️ 5.0 (2)
28 booths participating
Doey by Joey
That Good Soap
And 26 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 20-40* businesses with 30 inside tables (that can be shared) or can use the entire table.
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. If children are sharing a table but have different business names, please complete an application for each 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. We try to limit two like businesses for full tables; however, if the child has many offerings they are selling, then this limit of two like businesses may not apply.
How will the fair be set up?
The fair will be an indoor event with booths. Each business will be given a booth with a 6 to 8-foot table, and 1-2 chairs. Tablecloths will not be provided. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity in all locations and for all vendors. Limited electric available depending on the venue. Extension cords will not be provided.
Cost of tables:
8 foot table $30
Full space no table, bring your own set up $30
6 foot table $25
Half table space (4 foot) shared with another business: $22
Cost of tables:
8 foot table $30
Full space no table, bring your own set up $30
6 foot table $25
Half table space (4 foot) shared with another business: $22
Will electricity be available?
Electricity can be provided for $5 charge, but you will have to bring your own extension cords and can only have electricity to the outer edge tables (max of 8 spots) only. First come first serve.
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. Due to table space size, please limit the number of other family members sitting behind the space.
Parents may help their child fill out the application, but we expect the children to do as much as possible by themselves.
No refunds will be given if a no show or cancellation due to the limited spots available for children to participate.
No refunds will be given if a no show or cancellation due to the limited spots available for children to participate.
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.
