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Applications Now Open! Apply by April 5, 2025!
The Society of Child Entrepreneurs Spring Fair
Sunday, April 13, 2025
2:00PM - 5:00PM
Currently accepting applications 🏁
Apply to the fair
About the fair
At our Children’s Business Fair, young entrepreneurs get the opportunity to showcase the businesses they’ve created, the products and services they offer, and attract new customers by setting up shop inside the Goddard Community Center. This one-day marketplace event allows kids to gain real-world experience as they set up booths, sell their products, and make real money, all while practicing important skills like marketing, customer service, and financial management.
The event is made possible through the generous support of The Society of Child Entrepreneurs, Acton Academy, as well as our donors and volunteers, who all share the belief that principled entrepreneurs are heroes and role models for the next generation. Whether they’re as well-known as Steve Jobs or Sara Blakely, or part of the countless unsung business owners across the country, these entrepreneurs inspire young minds to innovate, create jobs, and serve their communities!
Hosted by
Leah Ellis
🗓️ Started hosting in 2024
✅ Identity verified
⭐️ 4.0 (4)
Leah Ellis is the founder and executive director of The Society of Child Entrepreneurs, where she combines her diverse experiences as a teacher, business coach, and entrepreneur to inspire the next generation. Inspired by her daughter’s budding interest in entrepreneurship at just 4 years old, Leah envisioned an organization that empowers young minds to become the next generation of business owners and community leaders.
With a focus on hands-on experiences and community membership, Leah nurtures creativity, innovation, and leadership skills in children, providing them with the tools they need to thrive. Her passion for fostering growth in others is evident in every workshop and mentorship session. As Leah leads this inspiring initiative, she invites others to explore the potential of young entrepreneurs and consider how they can support this transformative journey. The future of our communities relies on the bold ideas and leadership of our youth—together, we can help them flourish.
With a focus on hands-on experiences and community membership, Leah nurtures creativity, innovation, and leadership skills in children, providing them with the tools they need to thrive. Her passion for fostering growth in others is evident in every workshop and mentorship session. As Leah leads this inspiring initiative, she invites others to explore the potential of young entrepreneurs and consider how they can support this transformative journey. The future of our communities relies on the bold ideas and leadership of our youth—together, we can help them flourish.
5 booths participating
Marvelous 3D
B's Custom Pens
And 3 others.
Frequently asked questions
What is The Society of Child Entrepreneurs?
The Society of Child Entrepreneurs is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young minds by fostering an entrepreneurial spirit, leadership, and financial literacy. Through hands-on experiences and educational resources, we help children build the knowledge and confidence they need to start and manage their own businesses. By offering workshops, mentorship, and real-world projects, we equip children with essential skills such as business planning, marketing, budgeting, and teamwork, while instilling crucial life lessons like critical thinking, resilience, and problem-solving.
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 children in North America, this one-day market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses.
The Society of Child Entrepreneurs is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young minds by fostering an entrepreneurial spirit, leadership, and financial literacy. Through hands-on experiences and educational resources, we help children build the knowledge and confidence they need to start and manage their own businesses. By offering workshops, mentorship, and real-world projects, we equip children with essential skills such as business planning, marketing, budgeting, and teamwork, while instilling crucial life lessons like critical thinking, resilience, and problem-solving.
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 children 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 businesses.
We will accept up to 20 businesses.
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.
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 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.
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 tables in the Goddard Community Center. Each business will be given a booth with an 8-foot table, and 1 chair per Child Entrepreneur. Table cloths will not be provided. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.
The fair will be an indoor event with tables in the Goddard Community Center. Each business will be given a booth with an 8-foot table, and 1 chair per Child Entrepreneur. 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.
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.
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.
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.
