CIS stands for Creative Imagination Schoolhouse. We are a home based preschool / homeschool program for children ages 3 to 6 years. We are a progressive approach play based program inspired by Reggio Emilia philosophy. We strive to bring out the heart of the child and focus on Social Emotional Learning and Growth Mindset Learning.
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.

We will host up to 25 businesses at our annual Creative Imagination Schoolhouse Children's Business Fair event.

Start with our resources page. Read inspiring stories about other young entrepreneurs and play games to hone your business skills.

Application must be submitted online. Please submit one application for each category business (arts n crafts, food, themed product or service). Children working as a group should submit one application that includes each child’s information. No more than 3 participants per business. Only one kind of business type.
Where do I pay the fee to join the event?

Once your business is selected, you will be sent a payment link to confirm your business participation.

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?

The business fair is solely for and by the kids only. Parents can provide support with the application process, but are not allowed to help create the business plan or promote their own personal business or ideas. We want the children to experience the whole process of entrepreneurship.

Two jewelry & accessories 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.

Food items must be individually pre-packaged and sealed for the business fair. If and when the city ordinance change then all food items cannot be sold at the scheduled business fair.

The fair will be an indoor event. Each business will have a designated space table, and 2 chairs. Table cloths and table decors/signages are provided by each entrepreneurs (host only provide table and chairs). We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.

This event is designed to give children the opportunity to experience a one day market for their business idea.
Parents of younger children may sit in the booth, but the children should be responsible for set up, customer interaction, and sales. This event is for the children and not the parents. We want to encourage, support and inspire children as young as 5 years old to 15 years old to be young entrepreneurs.
Parents may help their child fill out the application, but we expect the children to do as much as possible by themselves. This is how they develop their skills and talents in entrepreneurial business.

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.