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Kidpreneurs MUST apply through this website only. Please read the FAQs thoroughly to start strong. See you soon!
St. Charles Children's Business Fair
Saturday, May 20, 2023
8:00AM - 12:15PM
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About the fair
COULD A TEN-YEAR-OLD INVENT THE NEXT ÜBER?
Find out at the St. Charles Children’s Business Fair (CBF), showcasing kids’ entrepreneurial genius!
Take part in this exciting opportunity for children to launch their very own startup/pop-up business!
Kids take the lead, creating a product or service, developing a brand, building a marketing strategy, then opening for customers at this unique one-day marketplace. The kidpreneurs are responsible for setup, sales, and interactions with customers.
We believe that principled entrepreneurs are heroes and role models for the next generation. Whether an entrepreneur is famous like Elon Musk 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.
Award Certificates and prizes will be presented for “Most Business Potential,” “Most Creative Business Idea,” and “Most Impressive Presentation.”
We believe that principled entrepreneurs are heroes and role models for the next generation. Whether an entrepreneur is famous like Elon Musk 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.
Award Certificates and prizes will be presented for “Most Business Potential,” “Most Creative Business Idea,” and “Most Impressive Presentation.”
Our 4th annual CBF event will be May 20, 2023, from 8:00am – 12:00pm, with an Awards Ceremony following from 12:00pm - 12:15pm.
This event is brought to you by Lighthouse International: an Acton Academy, Acton Academy, and the Acton School of Business, along with our generous sponsors.
Hosted by
Eliza Rivas
🗓️ Started hosting in 2019
✅ Identity verified
🚀 Has hosted 7 fairs
Eliza Rivas – Host, St. Charles Acton Children's Business Fair
Eliza is the founder of Lighthouse International, the first Acton Academy in Missouri, and has been empowering young entrepreneurs through the St. Charles Acton Children’s Business Fair for six years. She believes that every child is a hero in the making and is passionate about connecting young minds with real-world opportunities to foster independence, creativity, and leadership.
With over 25 years of experience in education, Eliza has dedicated her career to helping young people develop into global citizens who will one day better their communities and the world.
Her diverse background includes roles as a college admission counselor, an adjunct university professor, a high school Spanish teacher, and an elementary school English Language Assistant in Madrid, Spain. Throughout her career, she has received multiple awards and grants and has served as a mentor to educators nationwide.
Eliza is excited to continue championing young entrepreneurs through the 6th Annual St. Charles Acton Children’s Business Fair, where she looks forward to seeing the next generation of business leaders in action!
18 booths participating
Crystal Candy
Katy's Garden
And 16 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 30 businesses.
Where should I begin?
Check out the links below. Read inspiring stories about other young entrepreneurs, research business ideas, and play games to hone your business skills.
https://www.kebloom.com/blog/10%20Inspiring%20Kid%20Entrepreneurs
https://www.fundera.com/blog/kid-entrepreneurs
https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5051-young-entrepreneurs.html
https://www.businessinsider.com/successful-child-entrepreneurs-2019-2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YGUfWA-Xco
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YCGM7FiCGg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XDI0nIZA68
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XKXe41X-Pc
What is "Profit"? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxH6LGayF8U
Business Ideas
101+ Business Ideas for Kids
https://www.pinterest.com/childrensbusinessfair/
How to write a business plan
http://bizkids.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/Kids-Business-Plan.pdf
Entrepreneurship Games
Coffee Shop Game - Play Game
Price Point Game - Play Game
Galactic Zappers Game - Play Game
Robo Rush Game - Play Game
Fistful of Dollars Game - Play Game
Lemonade Stand-Off Game - Play Game
https://www.kebloom.com/blog/10%20Inspiring%20Kid%20Entrepreneurs
https://www.fundera.com/blog/kid-entrepreneurs
https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5051-young-entrepreneurs.html
https://www.businessinsider.com/successful-child-entrepreneurs-2019-2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YGUfWA-Xco
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YCGM7FiCGg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XDI0nIZA68
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XKXe41X-Pc
What is "Profit"? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxH6LGayF8U
Business Ideas
101+ Business Ideas for Kids
https://www.pinterest.com/childrensbusinessfair/
How to write a business plan
http://bizkids.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/Kids-Business-Plan.pdf
Entrepreneurship Games
Coffee Shop Game - Play Game
Price Point Game - Play Game
Galactic Zappers Game - Play Game
Robo Rush Game - Play Game
Fistful of Dollars Game - Play Game
Lemonade Stand-Off Game - Play Game
How do I apply? Can I apply as part of a group?
Applications must be submitted online. Please submit one application for each business. Children working as a group in 1 business should submit one application that includes each child’s information. No more than 3 participants per business. Siblings who are doing different things should register separately.
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. Each business will bring a 4-8' table, a canopy tent (40lbs weight required for each tent leg), 1-2 chairs, and their table covering and decorations.
Will electricity be available?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to businesses.
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, or if the product and/or display have received noticeable adult assistance, their child’s business will be disqualified from the competition. For competition purposes, products must be child-made or heavily customized/personalized by the child. Store-bought items may not be presented as child-made and non-customized products may not be sold (water bottles, sodas, snacks) as it competes with vendors who have made their own snacks and drinks to sell. Lighthouse International will have water bottles available for child vendors.
Parents of younger children may sit at the back of the booth, but the children should be responsible for setting up, customer interaction, and sales. NO adults should be interacting with customers on behalf of the business (selling, accepting payment, packaging, or delivering)
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?
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, over 115 entrepreneurs and 1,500 attendees are at the Acton Children’s Business Fair in Austin.
