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Ottawa Children's Market
Saturday, November 12, 2022
1:30PM - 4:30PM
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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.
The 1st Annual Ottawa Children's Market will take place at St. Columba Anglican Church on Saturday, November 12, 2022, from 1:30 - 4:30 pm.
This event is sponsored by ARC Studio School, Acton Children's Business Fair, Acton Academy, Next Great Adventure, and the generous support of our donors and volunteers. We all believe that principled entrepreneurs are heroes and role models for the next generation.
Hosted by
Megan Lelli
🗓️ Started hosting in 2022
✅ Identity verified
⭐️ 4.7 (12)
We are a team of passionate entrepreneurs, educators, mentors, and parents, who want our children to learn about entrepreneurship in a practical and fun way.
20 booths participating
Norah’s Bookmarks
Felted Friends
And 18 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. The Ottawa Children's Market is Manor Park's 1st 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. The Ottawa Children's Market is Manor Park's 1st Acton Children's Business Fair!
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.
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:
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 Market, 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, but we will let later entries know if another applicant has a similar idea so the later entrant can decide whether or not to change their business idea.
Two cupcake businesses? Not a problem. In general, we will let market forces play out, but we will let later entries know if another applicant has a similar idea so the later entrant can decide whether or not to change their business idea.
How will the Market be set up?
The Market will be an indoor event. Each business will be given a 6-foot table and 1-2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided. A limited number of electrical outlets are available for businesses requiring electricity (allocated on a first come-first served basis when registering).
The Market will be an indoor event. Each business will be given a 6-foot table and 1-2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided. A limited number of electrical outlets are available for businesses requiring electricity (allocated on a first come-first served basis when registering).
Will electricity be available?
There are a limited number of electrical outlets available for businesses requiring electricity (allocated on a first come-first served basis when registering).
There are a limited number of electrical outlets available for businesses requiring electricity (allocated on a first come-first served basis when registering).
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.
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.
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.
