Children's Business Fair at Hallsley
Sunday, May 15, 2022
12:00PM - 3:00PM
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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 Hallsley Children's Business Fair at the Residents Club on Sunday, May 15 from 12 pm to 3 pm. The rain date is Saturday, May 21. Registration is first-come, first-served, so sign up soon!
This event is sponsored by Pace Academy, 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
Matthew Dreier
🗓️ Started hosting in 2022
✅ Identity verified
⭐️ 5.0 (1)
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.
21 booths participating
Grayson's Great Gooey Gobs
Parks’s Poppin’ Prizes
And 19 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 25 businesses.
What ages are eligible to participate?
Young entrepreneurs ages 5-16 can participate.
Is there a cost to participate?
Nope! The generous support of our sponsors allows us to host the event at no charge to the participants.
Is your business interested in sponsoring this event?
Contact us at myjourney@pacerva.com for more information.
What ages are eligible to participate?
Young entrepreneurs ages 5-16 can participate.
Is there a cost to participate?
Nope! The generous support of our sponsors allows us to host the event at no charge to the participants.
Is your business interested in sponsoring this event?
Contact us at myjourney@pacerva.com for more information.
How do I apply? Can I apply as part of a group?
Click the "Apply to the Fair" link on our homepage. 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 does the application entail?
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 an outdoor event in the Residents Club parking lot. Each business will be given a space, a 6 or 8-foot table, and a chair. We encourage you to consider bringing a tent/covering as the weather can be unpredictable. Any tents will need to be secured on the pavement. We also encourage participants to bring extra chairs and a tablecloth, along with any decorations for their space.
Will electricity be available?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the spaces.
Tell me more about the competition!
Participants will be automatically entered to win cash prizes in a fun and friendly competition with their fellow young entrepreneurs. Prizes will be awarded to winners in three categories: most innovative; most growth potential; best presentation. Businesses will be judged in three age groups: 5-8, 9-12, 13-16. Businesses with mixed-aged owners will fall into the oldest member's age group.
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 space, but the children should be responsible for setup, customer interaction, and sales.
Parents may help their children 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?
Founders 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. Today, there are over 115 entrepreneurs and 1,500 attendees at the Acton Children's Business Fair in Austin!
