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Applications are CLOSED. Our event will be at the Bowie Baysox Stadium on September 11th. This is a game day and there will be thousands of potential customers for all the businesses!
Acton Children's Business Fair Bowie, MD
Sunday, September 11, 2022
12:30PM - 3:00PM
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About the fair
Hi my name is Ed Hanko and my wife Heather and our family founded The Patuxent Program, an Acton Experience. We're reimagining education for children ages 6-14 years old in Bowie, MD and we are hosting our second business fair at Prince George's County Stadium; home of the Bowie Baysox!
Celebrate the opportunity for children to launch their very own startup business!
Celebrate 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. Businesses will not be able to sell any immediately consumable food or drinks. If a kidpreneur wants to sell a 'kit' to make food at home such as a chocolate cookie package, they will be allowed. The Bowie Baysox will have concessions available for purchase.
We will host up to 50 booths at our 2nd event in Prince George's County on September 11, 2022; from 1230 pm – 3 pm.
Curious as to what your child might sell? Here are some past business products seen: Knit or crochet hats, scarves, toys, hair accessories/jewelry, bookmarks, books, stationary, original artwork, handmade soap, bath bombs, lotions, or candles, pet toys/treats, woodworking - painted signs, string art, upcycled/repurposed items (get creative!), walking sticks, painted rocks (pet rocks are still awesome!), design your own buttons, design your own t-shirt, crafting, balloon animals, face painting, photo booth, t-shirt designs, keychains, plants, rainbow loom crafts, potholders, and more.
Search "children's business fair" on youtube and you'll see tons of additional ideas!
Curious as to what your child might sell? Here are some past business products seen: Knit or crochet hats, scarves, toys, hair accessories/jewelry, bookmarks, books, stationary, original artwork, handmade soap, bath bombs, lotions, or candles, pet toys/treats, woodworking - painted signs, string art, upcycled/repurposed items (get creative!), walking sticks, painted rocks (pet rocks are still awesome!), design your own buttons, design your own t-shirt, crafting, balloon animals, face painting, photo booth, t-shirt designs, keychains, plants, rainbow loom crafts, potholders, and more.
Search "children's business fair" on youtube and you'll see tons of additional ideas!
This event is sponsored by The Patuxent Program, 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 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. This is a wonderful event to introduce children to entrepreneurship.
Hosted by
Ed Hanko
🗓️ Started hosting in 2021
✅ Identity verified
🚀 Has hosted 3 fairs
The Patuxent Program is a reimagining education in Bowie, Maryland. We are a learner-driven program for ages 6-13 to supplement their homeschool journey. Imagining something different for your child?
Our 4 day per week drop off program is an environment for them to find their skills and talents and build real life skills. Grit, determination, focus, flow, conflict resolution, collaboration and more are all developed in our mixed aged studios.
We are an affiliate in the Acton Academy Network. Check out our program at actonpatuxent.com Ready to hear more and talk directly with the owners? Sign up for an info session here.
Our 4 day per week drop off program is an environment for them to find their skills and talents and build real life skills. Grit, determination, focus, flow, conflict resolution, collaboration and more are all developed in our mixed aged studios.
We are an affiliate in the Acton Academy Network. Check out our program at actonpatuxent.com Ready to hear more and talk directly with the owners? Sign up for an info session here.
25 booths participating
Saif teaches chess
Golfers
And 23 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 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. Youtube search for "Children's Business Fair" and see tons of examples for businesses your child might want to start. Think of this as the joy of creating and doing something your child hasn't done before. Hold off on the pressure in searching for some amazing business idea or cutting edge product. This is all about FUN!
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. Each business should have one theme. Not one joint business selling homemade pottery and homemade Roblox stickers from two different kidpreneurs. Homemade items, products and services are preferred. Others will be considered on a singular case basis. We will not accept entries re-selling MLM or similar style products.
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 can I sell? Are there restrictions?
This event WILL NOT ALLOW immediately consumable food or drink products. Things like cupcakes, cookies, lemonade won't be accepted. However, if you were to sell a kit for customers to buy and make an item at home you would be accepted.
What if someone else has the same business idea?
Two slime 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 event with tables. Each business will be given a 6 foot table. 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.
Can you refund my booth entry fee?
This event is for the children. The booth entry fee of $10 covers some costs of hosting and staging the CBF. Donors cover most of the costs. Each booth will receive a swag bag for participating.
There will be no refunds on booth entry fees if a business withdraws within 2 weeks of the event. If your entry is not accepted your payment will be refunded.
There will be no refunds on booth entry fees if a business withdraws within 2 weeks of the event. If your entry is not accepted your payment will be refunded.
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.
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