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We are excited to see everyone this Saturday! Set up begins at 8:30!
Benjamin Franklin Kid's Business Fair
Saturday, March 2, 2024
9:00AM - 11:00AM
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About the fair
Observe the opportunity for children grades K-6 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 100 booths at the 3rd annual event @ Benjamin Franklin Charter School-Power Campus on March 2nd from 9am-11am. Set up will begin no earlier than 8am. Each booth is responsible for their own set-up materials including tables, tents, etc.
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 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
Michael LaPidus
🗓️ Started hosting in 2022
🚀 Has hosted 3 fairs
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.
107 booths participating
Rae Designs
Colors n’ Calligraphy
And 105 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 100 businesses.
What age groups may participate?
Students in grades K-6 may participate
Where should I begin?
Students in grades K-6 may participate
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?
Applications 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 4 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?
You need to bring tents, chairs, and tablecloths. There are no power outlets available to vendors in the parking lot.
Will electricity be available?
With your own generator/power source
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.
Children whose parents create, sell, or obstruct the student entrepreneurial experience will be ineligible to win additional prizes at the fair
Children whose parents create, sell, or obstruct the student entrepreneurial experience will be ineligible to win additional prizes at the fair
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.
