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Applications are now closed! Please contact brazosvalley.cbf@gmail.com If you are interested in sponsoring. We are excited to see you at the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo on October 21, 2023!
Brazos Valley Children's Business Fair College Station, Texas
Saturday, October 21, 2023
10:00AM - 1:00PM
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About the fair
Observe the opportunity for children ages 6-16 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 a total of 60 booths at the 1st annual event Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo 5827 Leonard Rd. Bryan Tx, 77807 on Saturday, October 21, 2023.
The first group of 30 booths will sell from 10am–1 pm.
The second group of 30 booths will sell from 4pm-7pm.
As of August 1, 2023- accepted applications will be placed in the morning time slot due to space availability.
There is a $20 non-refundable booth fee required per business. Further details on when this is due will be sent once your application is approved by our committee.
We cannot accept homemade food businesses such as baked goods or refreshments due to regulations surrounding the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo food operations.
The first group of 30 booths will sell from 10am–1 pm.
The second group of 30 booths will sell from 4pm-7pm.
As of August 1, 2023- accepted applications will be placed in the morning time slot due to space availability.
There is a $20 non-refundable booth fee required per business. Further details on when this is due will be sent once your application is approved by our committee.
We cannot accept homemade food businesses such as baked goods or refreshments due to regulations surrounding the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo food operations.
This event is sponsored by Acton Academy, the Acton School of Business, Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo 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
Angie Brinkmeyer
🗓️ Started hosting in 2023
✅ Identity verified
⭐️ 4.9 (8)
Hi there! My name is Angie and I’m a homeschooling mom of 3 kiddos! This will be my 3rd year organizing the Brazos Valley Children’s Business Fair and I’m excited for our October 2025 event. Watching my own children practice their entrepreneurial skills has made me passionate about giving other children the same opportunity! I’m looking forward to meeting all who participate this year with us!
50 booths participating
Sunshine Crame
Cobblestone Canvas
And 48 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.
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 60 businesses. Entrepreneurs must be between the ages of 6-16 years old.
The first group of 30 booths will sell from 10 am – 1 pm.
The second group of 30 booths will sell from 4pm-7pm.
As of August 1, 2023- accepted applications will be placed in the morning time slot due to space availability.
We will accept up to 60 businesses. Entrepreneurs must be between the ages of 6-16 years old.
The first group of 30 booths will sell from 10 am – 1 pm.
The second group of 30 booths will sell from 4pm-7pm.
As of August 1, 2023- accepted applications will be placed in the morning time slot due to space availability.
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?
- Refer to our FAQ tab and read over the rules and guidelines. Due to capacity limitations, we will be accepting up to 60 businesses. *one morning group of 30 entrepreneurs (10 a.m. -1 p.m.) *one afternoon group of 30 entrepreneurs from (4 p.m.-7 p.m.)
- Please submit only ONE application per business. There should be no more than 3 participants per business.
- Business products and/or services should be made by the participants themselves.
- please upload a example of product that will be sold on the application where it says "business cover photo". if you have one available.
- We cannot accept homemade food businesses such as baked goods or refreshments due to regulations surrounding the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo food operations.
- A team will thoroughly review all applications and selected businesses will be notified through email a.s.a.p. and no later than August 30th.
- Selected businesses will receive instructions for a business pitch meeting and need to pay the $20 non-refundable participation fee to confirm their booth once their application is approved.
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 T-shirt 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 T-shirt 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 an indoor event with booths. Each business will be given a booth with an 8-foot table, and 2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided. We are unable to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.
The fair will be an indoor event with booths. Each business will be given a booth with an 8-foot table, and 2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided. We are unable to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.
Will electricity be available?
We are unable to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.
We are unable to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.
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.
We cannot accept homemade food businesses such as baked goods or refreshments due to regulations surrounding the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo food operations.
We cannot accept homemade food businesses such as baked goods or refreshments due to regulations surrounding the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo food operations.
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.
