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Encourage your 6-14 year old to sign up and sell!
Children's Business Fair (Dallas, TX)
Saturday, June 11, 2022
9:00AM - 3:00PM
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About the fair
Competent Public Advocates Foundation will kick off its plan to annually host the Children's Business Fair in Dallas, TX!
Do join us--come out and support children who have or will launch their very own startup business.
Do join us--come out and support children who have or will launch their very own startup business.
Children ages 6-14 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 up to 30 booths at the 1st annual event taking place at the Dallas Farmers Market Pearl Plaza on Saturday June 11, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. until 3 p.m. The Pearl Plaza is located on the S. Pearl Expressway between the Taylor Lofts and the Market. More information about location and how to plan a visit to the Dallas Farmers Market can be found HERE.
There is no fee for the children to participate in the Business Fair. Children keep their earnings, if any, and learn valuable lessons of entrepreneurship along the way. Click on the FAQ for more information.
Please consider supporting the children and sponsoring the Children's Business Fair by making a donation HERE.
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
E. Lynette Stone
🗓️ Started hosting in 2022
✅ Identity verified
🚀 Has hosted 3 fairs
We are a team of passionate entrepreneurs, teachers, mentors, and parents, who want our children to learn about entrepreneurship in a practical and fun way.
27 booths participating
Beyond
Skylar Sweet Snacks
And 25 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.
What is the age range for participants?
What is the age range for participants?
6-14 at the time of application submission.
How many businesses will you accept?
We will accept up to 30 businesses.
Can I make a donation?
Yes! There is no fee for the children to participate in the Business Fair. Please consider supporting the children and sponsoring the Children's Business Fair by making a donation HERE.
Can I make a donation?
Yes! There is no fee for the children to participate in the Business Fair. Please consider supporting the children and sponsoring the Children's Business Fair by making a donation HERE.
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.
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.
Who is hosting the Fair?
Competent Public Advocates Foundation is the Fair's host and is collaborating with Acton Children's Business Fair.
Who is hosting the Fair?
Competent Public Advocates Foundation is the Fair's host and is collaborating with Acton Children's Business Fair.
How will the fair be set up?
The fair will be a tented outdoor event at the Dallas Farmers Market Pearl Plaza. Each business will be given a 6-foot table, full-cover tenting, and 1-2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided. Businesses are encouraged to decorate their spaces as part of their marketing plan.
We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity. Please do not plan on selling products that require temperature control or refrigeration. If food or drink items will be sold, please provide us with a food handler's certificate to comply with the Cottage Food Law by the provided deadline if your application is accepted. Please also follow proper labeling requirements.
We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity. Please do not plan on selling products that require temperature control or refrigeration. If food or drink items will be sold, please provide us with a food handler's certificate to comply with the Cottage Food Law by the provided deadline if your application is accepted. Please also follow proper labeling requirements.
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, TX.
