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We are extremely excited to host our first ever Children's Business Fair in 2022 -- please review the FAQ section for more information!
Acton Children's Business Fair Chicago, Illinois
Sunday, October 23, 2022
10:00AM - 2:00PM
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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 15-20 booths at the 1st annual event at Bennett Day School on Sunday, October 23rd from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. This is designed for students PreK and older.
Instead of an application fee at the time of submission, we will instead be collecting a $10 participation fee from all accepted business ideas.
Instead of an application fee at the time of submission, we will instead be collecting a $10 participation fee from all accepted business ideas.
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.
Hosted by
McKensie Bartz
🗓️ Started hosting in 2022
✅ Identity verified
🚀 Has hosted 3 fairs
At Bennett Day School, our mission is to provide a collaborative culture that nurtures our innate sense of inquiry and curiosity. We are committed to advancing creativity, innovation, and the development of lifelong learners and leaders. 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.
15 booths participating
Nella and Ehlery's Baked Goods
Puppy Pal Treats
And 13 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.
Does it Cost money to participate?
Does it Cost money to participate?
There is no application fee, however, we will request a $10 vendor fee from all accepted booths. This money will go directly back to Prizes for student participants.
How many businesses will you accept?
We will accept up to 20 businesses.
How old do I need to be to apply?
Bennett will accept students from Senior Kindergarten to High School!
Do I need to be a student at Bennett to apply?
No, this opportunity is open to all community members! All you need to do is start your application.
We will accept up to 20 businesses.
How old do I need to be to apply?
Bennett will accept students from Senior Kindergarten to High School!
Do I need to be a student at Bennett to apply?
No, this opportunity is open to all community members! All you need to do is start your application.
Where should I begin?
Start with our resources page. Read inspiring stories about other young entrepreneurs and play games to hone your business skills.
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?
The 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.
The 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 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.
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 set up inside Bennett Day School. Each business will be given a booth with an 6-foot table and 1-2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided. If you require power, please indicate this on your application.
The fair will be set up inside Bennett Day School. Each business will be given a booth with an 6-foot table and 1-2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided. If you require power, please indicate this on your application.
Will electricity be available?
Yes, there will be power available to those who require it!
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.
