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Hello Amherst area families! We are so excited to host the first Amherst Children's Business Fair at the Jensen Community Center! This is such an exciting opportunity for children to participate in and for the community to shop at! Get your application in NOW! We are welcoming children ages 6-17.
Amherst Children's Business Fair
Saturday, April 5, 2025
9:00AM - 12:00PM
Currently accepting applications 🏁
Apply to the fair
About the fair
Observe the opportunity for children to launch their very own business!
Children develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at our one-day marketplace.
This event is sponsored by Acton Academy, 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 Steve Jobs or Sara Blakely 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
Melissa Blenker
🗓️ Started hosting in 2025
✅ Identity verified
🎉 First-time host
I'm a passionate advocate for young entrepreneurship and the proud parent of four energetic kids in Amherst. Partnering with the Jensen Community Center, I am thrilled to bring the Amherst Children's Business Fair to life—a one-day event where young innovators can showcase their creativity and business ideas. With a heart for empowering the next generation, I'm dedicated to creating opportunities that inspire kids to dream big and take the first steps toward their entrepreneurial journey.
16 booths participating
The
Ezekiel's Creations
And 14 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 children in North America, this one-day market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses.
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 40 businesses.
We will accept up to 40 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 indoors at the Jensen Community Center in Amherst. Each business will be given a booth with a table (some participants may be asked to share a table with one other business) and 1-2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided. We may be able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.
The fair will be indoors at the Jensen Community Center in Amherst. Each business will be given a booth with a table (some participants may be asked to share a table with one other business) and 1-2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided. We may be able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.
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.
Will there be judging and prizes?
YES! We will have some local celebrity judges with prizes and awards.
Will there be judging and prizes?
YES! We will have some local celebrity judges with prizes and awards.
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.
