Our first Children's Business Fair in April 2018 was a tremendous success. Attendees were wowed by our Biz Savvy Kids and wanted more so we are going to give it to them.
The entire premise of the fair is to tap into the kids creativity. Therefore the participating kids MUST develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at our one-day marketplace. We ask that parents that have businesses of any kind, not to make this an event where kids are selling your products.
We will host up to 50 booths at the 2nd bi-annual event at a location to TBD.
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 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
Charita Cadenhead
🗓️ Started hosting in 2017
🚀
Has hosted
7 fairs
We are a team of passionate entrepreneurs, and parents, who want all children to learn about entrepreneurship in a practical and fun way.
What is the Metro Birmingham Children's Business Fair?
The 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 50 businesses.
Where should I begin?
Start by visiting our website. Then complete the registration form on our website, submit the registration fee once accepted and you are well on your way.
How do I apply? Can I apply as part of a group?
Registration forms must be submitted online HERE.. 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. Parents, you may type in the info for younger kids, but please, please, please have them sit next to you and have them answer the questions in their own little voices. We want them to complete the form, not their parents. Thank you for your cooperation.
If the kids parents have a business, can the kids sell the parents products?
Emphatically No. The Children’s Business was established to encourage and support the creative minds of children so that they can use their imaginations to create “their own” business; sell “their own” product or service. We understand that parents have businesses and see this as an opportunity for their kids to sell the parents products, but we are asking parents to please please not do that. It completely robs children of the intent of the fair and teaches them how to be deceptive. We don’t mean to offend, but we really want this program to be a success based on the kids creative minds and the kids entrepreneurial spirits.
What is on the registration form?
The form 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?
We reserve the right to limit the number of similar products. Two cupcake businesses? Not a problem. In general, we will let market forces play out, though we will let later entries know if we've reached our limit and see if there are some other options for them to participate so the latter entrant can decide what to do. PLEASE NOTE THAT WE WILL EXERCISE OUR RIGHT LIMIT THE NUMBER OF VENDOR SELLING LIKE PRODUCTS.
How will the fair be set up?
The fair will be an indoor event with tables. Each business will be given a table and 1-3. Table cloths will not be provided. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity. Each business is responsible for full decorating, designing their own boot.
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 judging and will not be eligible for an award in their age category..
Parents 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.
The Acton Children's Business Fair does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin and admits and gives all hosts and participants access to the same rights, privileges, programs and activities.
