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What an amazing event. Thanks to all of the entrepreneurs, vendors, sponsors, judges, and community for the tremendous support. Already working on planning next years event so please check back from time to time for updates.
First Annual West Chester Children's Business Fair
Saturday, July 23, 2022
9:00AM - 12:00PM
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About the fair
Observe the opportunity for children aged 5-14 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 up to 25 booths for the 1st annual event at Marshall Square Park on July, 23, 2022 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. In the event of rain, the alternate location will be at COCOON Home Remodeling. Their studio is located at 1150 West Chester Pike in West Chester, PA 19382.
There will be judges awarding prize money to the top three chosen businesses in each age category.
There will be judges awarding prize money to the top three chosen businesses in each age category.
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 Mike Rowe 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
John McDonald
🗓️ Started hosting in 2022
✅ Identity verified
🚀 Has hosted 3 fairs
We are a husband and wife team who have a passion for entrepreneurship and who want our children to learn about entrepreneurship in a practical and fun way along with others in our community.
25 booths participating
Little Farmer
MicroGreen Fx
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 25 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?
Open to children aged 5-14. 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 an outdoor event with booths. Each business will be given a booth with a 6' or 8' table and 2 chairs.
-Should rain be in the forecast, the alternate location will be at COCOON Home Remodeling located at 1150 West Chester Pike in West Chester, PA 19382. This change will be announced leading up to the event.
-Feel free to also bring a maximum sized 10'x10' pop up canopy or umbrella for shade.
-Businesses are encouraged to provide their own signage and decor to attract customers.
-Remember to allow for enough time to complete prep work ahead of the 9:00 open time. Table cloths will not be provided. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.
-Set up time is from 8:00am to 9:00 am.
-Should rain be in the forecast, the alternate location will be at COCOON Home Remodeling located at 1150 West Chester Pike in West Chester, PA 19382. This change will be announced leading up to the event.
-Feel free to also bring a maximum sized 10'x10' pop up canopy or umbrella for shade.
-Businesses are encouraged to provide their own signage and decor to attract customers.
-Remember to allow for enough time to complete prep work ahead of the 9:00 open time. Table cloths will not be provided. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.
-Set up time is from 8:00am to 9:00 am.
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.
