Pleasure Island Children's Business Fair event image
📣 When is the next one???? Saturday was a HIT. We’re working on the next date, stay tuned!

Pleasure Island Children's Business Fair

Saturday, May 6, 2023

4:00PM - 6:00PM

Mike Chappell Park

501 Dow Rd S, Carolina Beach, NC 28428, USA

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About the fair
Kid-preneurs in action. It’s their opportunity to launch their own startup and your opportunity to support them!

Kids develop a brand, create the product (or service), build a marketing strategy, and then open shop for an awesome one-day marketplace. 

You will find us at Mike Chappell Park during the Spring Skate Festival, a benefit for the new skatepark. We will host your booths, canopy tents and tables at the 1st annual: PLEASURE ISLAND CHILDREN’S BUSINESS FAIR. Saturday, May 6th 4-6pm. Ages 6-14 can participate. All ages can shop! Booth rental fee: $5. Collected day-of. 

Please read all the FAQ’s for lots more info!!!
Hosted by

Flint Wingrove

🗓️ Started hosting in 2023

Identity verified

🚀 Has hosted 3 fairs

We are a team of passionate moms who want our children to learn about entrepreneurship in a practical and fun way. 

50 booths participating

JEWELRY AND MORE

Surf Side Signs

And 48 others.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Children’s Business Fair?
A one-day marketplace helping kids discover their inner entrepreneur.

What do I bring?
A table.
A canopy tent will be great, but not mandatory.
Bring the things you are selling.
Make sure to label pricing. 
Have money to make change.
A sign with the name of your business.
(Other pro tips are to bring water to stay hydrated and some sunscreen).

How much does it cost to participate?
$5 cash on—site. Every business has expenses and start-up costs, including this location fee. We will however be donating your money to the Friends of Carolina Beach Parks and Greenways to benefit the very exciting skatepark expansion. https://www.friendsofcbparksandgreenways.org/skatepark

Can I dress up my table, tent and booth area more than described above?
Yes.

Does it have to be a shop or can I promote a service?
You can have a table at the fair that doesn’t sell anything but does promote your off-site business (like dog-washing, baby-sitting, lawn mowing, etc). Still make a sign and have a great table. Have something to give away and engage with shoppers, like flyers and business cards.

Doe everything have to be handmade at my table?

No. You can price, display and re-sell your toys, trading cards, shoes, etc.

Do I have to be there at 3pm if it starts at 4pm?
You CAN start setting up your canopy tent/table in the hour before the event. Start with meeting us for on-site registration, fee collection, and booth placements starting at 3. Can you start later than 3 setting up? Yes, but your table should absolutely be ready for business by 4pm.

Can I sell past 6pm?
Yes. Our fair is officially a two-hour event. The Spring Skate Festival ends at 8pm. You are welcome and have permission to stay at your table until the entire Skate event ends.

When is my application/registration due by? Thursday, May 4th. All applications must be in by midnight 5/4/23.

Should my stand be very professional? Or is it ok to be handmade?
It can look exactly as you like, but we do want to see what YOU put together. All handmade, handwritten signs or nicely printed out materials- both are OK. It is your business, think about what will be clear and attractive to your shoppers. This is not a booth for your parents to decorate and showcase their talents. Show us what you can do and be proud of it!

Is it inside or outdoors?
Outside! A pop-up canopy tent is going to be key to keeping you and your customers comfortable.

Is there a rain date?
No.

How do I apply? Can I apply as part of a group?
Apply here via the website. 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:

  • 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! Let market forces play out. 

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. Older or younger siblings, unregistered friends, parents or grandparents should absolutely not assist at the booth or interact with customers.

Parents of younger kids may sit in the booth, but the children themselves 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 (our parent partner) get started?
Acton is an awesome umbrella organization that supports local children’s business fairs. They are so passionate about supporting kid initiatives that they are supplying the platform for this website and some of the guidelines and framework to support our fair. 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. Pleasure Island Children’s Business Fair is one of many Acton’s kid fairs around the country and we hope to make it an annual event!

Our incredible sponsors

Children's Business Fair

Acton Academy

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Friends of CB Parks and Greenways