📣
We made it through Covid-19! Check out our 2020 Event on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/DZF6i1M2McQ
Acton Children's Business Fair Dothan, AL
Friday, July 22, 2022
12:00PM - 4:00PM
This fair has ended
Find another 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 25 booths at the 3rd annual event at the Wiregrass Commons Mall on July 17, 2021 from 12:00 noon – 4:00 pm.
This event is sponsored by I Can Win!, Acton Academy, the Acton School of Business, and the generous support of our local Wiregrass Business donors and volunteers. We all believe that kid entrepreneurs are heroes and role models for the next generation. Event Organizer and Host, Author & Educator, Dr. Shelia Truelove, believes in creating opportunities for children to showcase their academic and creative abilities.
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
Dr Shelia Truelove
🗓️ Started hosting in 2019
🚀 Has hosted 4 fairs
We are a team of passionate Entrepreneurs, Authors, Mentors, and parents, who want our children to learn about entrepreneurship in a practical and fun way. This is the 3rd year that the event was selected to be held in Dothan, Alabama. In 2019, 17 Kid Entrepreneurs participated in the event. In 2020, in spite of COVID-19, we had 24 children representing 12 kid owned businesses! The 3rd Annual event will have 30 slots available for children ages 6- 17 years old interested in business. This year, Kid Entrepreneurs will also be included to attend I Can Win! Success Classes geared toward creating and building a successful business.
After submitting the application requirements, Dr. Shelia Truelove, EdD was selected to bring the event to Dothan Alabama last year in 2019. Her mission is to create opportunities for children to develop a positive mindset and succeed in their lives. You can read more about Dr. Truelove at drtruelove.com.
Also, here are a few highlights from last year:
https://youtu.be/DZF6i1M2McQ
https://www.wtvy.com/content/news/Dothan-kicks-off-first-childrens-business-fair-512689341.html
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.dothaneagle.com/news/business/local-business-fair-seeks-child-prodigies/article_748346ca-99d1-11e9-a112-17df24887a7e.amp.html
After submitting the application requirements, Dr. Shelia Truelove, EdD was selected to bring the event to Dothan Alabama last year in 2019. Her mission is to create opportunities for children to develop a positive mindset and succeed in their lives. You can read more about Dr. Truelove at drtruelove.com.
Also, here are a few highlights from last year:
https://youtu.be/DZF6i1M2McQ
https://www.wtvy.com/content/news/Dothan-kicks-off-first-childrens-business-fair-512689341.html
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.dothaneagle.com/news/business/local-business-fair-seeks-child-prodigies/article_748346ca-99d1-11e9-a112-17df24887a7e.amp.html
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 30 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.
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.
How will the fair be set up?
The fair will be held indoors at Wiregrass Commons Mall. Each business will be given an 8-foot table, full-cover table cloth, and 1-2 chairs. We are able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.
Will electricity be available?
Fortunately, we are 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.
