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An opportunity to explore entrepreneurship and test ideas for potential business ventures at the BizFest - A Children's Business Fair.
BizFest 2024
Saturday, June 8, 2024
10:00AM - 12:00AM
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About the fair
Applications Closed.
Reached full capacity.
35+ young entrepreneurs from 12+ schools are showcasing a variety of businesses, offering everything from creative arts and crafts to tech products.
Entrepreneurship is about more than just business. It is a mindset of identifying possibilities and finding creative solutions to problems, and it is never too early to acquire practical skills and valuable life lessons. Hence, this initiative encourages children to develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and launch it for customers at a one-day educational business fair.
Through a carefully curated event, BizFest offers a platform for young entrepreneurs to showcase their creativity, innovation, and business acumen. By immersing young students in the entrepreneurial experience, we aim to instill a sense of curiosity and confidence that will serve as a foundation for their future endeavors. BizFest is organized by AmpUpSkill, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering children without seeking financial gain.
Through a carefully curated event, BizFest offers a platform for young entrepreneurs to showcase their creativity, innovation, and business acumen. By immersing young students in the entrepreneurial experience, we aim to instill a sense of curiosity and confidence that will serve as a foundation for their future endeavors. BizFest is organized by AmpUpSkill, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering children without seeking financial gain.
About BizFest 2023 - https://www.ampupskill.com/bizfest
The Hive, a unique Spokane Public Library focused on arts education, generously provides the event space free of charge. This event thrives- thanks to the generous support of our donors and volunteers. We do not accept monetary donations; sponsors contribute age-appropriate items or promotional materials for participants' swag bags or directly cover event memorabilia or trophy expenses.
Elementary and Middle school students aged 6 to 14, whether in public, homeschooled, or private schools in and around Spokane, are welcome to participate. We'll inform applicants meeting the event's criteria in order of the applications received and until the maximum booth capacity is reached.
Free Event
There is no participation or an entry fee. The indoor event is open to the public and FREE to attend. We encourage you to attend and invite friends, family, community members, and real-world entrepreneurs to support the next generation of young budding entrepreneurs and celebrate the leaders and free-thinkers of tomorrow.
Awards
There will be an award ceremony immediately following the BizFest. Rewards and certificates will be presented in age groups 6-8, 9-11, and 12-14 for the most Business Potential, Creative Idea, and impressive Presentation. All booths are automatically entered into the evaluation process.
Also, though optional, we encourage young entrepreneurs to participate in the pre-event effort recognition in these two categories, due a week before the event.
- Brand Story: One-page essay
A brand story is how you became who you are, what inspired you to create, and how you want to grow as an entrepreneur. It is a written narrative that describes your business and aspirations and speaks directly to your potential customers.
- Business Marketing: Letter-size flyer
While designing a flyer, consider the customer's viewpoint and how you plan to share it. Keep the content crisp and add a catchy headline or a brand slogan. Be creative and choose colors that support your brand.
FAQ
Event information, rules, and resources are available on the FAQ page. Please feel free to contact us with any more questions at info@ampupskill.com
Hosted by
Rupali Joshi
🗓️ Started hosting in 2022
✅ Identity verified
🚀 Has hosted 3 fairs
I launched this initiative to provide kids with a platform to explore entrepreneurship, build confidence, and develop essential life skills, including problem-solving, creativity, and financial literacy. Watching young entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life, engage with the community, and take pride in their work has been truly inspiring. By continuing to expand this initiative, I aim to ignite a lasting passion for entrepreneurship, equipping young minds with the tools and opportunities to dream big and bring their ideas to life.
www.ampupskill.com
33 booths participating
Cooper’s Crafts
Sunkissed Jewelry
And 31 others.
Frequently asked questions
Link to BizFest 2023 - https://www.ampupskill.com/bizfest
Where should I begin?
Read stories about other young entrepreneurs to get inspired, learn tricks, and polish your skills: https://www.business.org/business/startup/youngest-entrepreneurs/.
These YouTube videos can give you great ideas for setting up your booth- https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Acton+childrens+business+fair.
Check out this book for guidance- Be a Young Entrepreneur.
ACBF Resource - Link
Guide to writing a business plan by Biz Kid$
Where should I begin?
Read stories about other young entrepreneurs to get inspired, learn tricks, and polish your skills: https://www.business.org/business/startup/youngest-entrepreneurs/.
These YouTube videos can give you great ideas for setting up your booth- https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Acton+childrens+business+fair.
Check out this book for guidance- Be a Young Entrepreneur.
ACBF Resource - Link
Guide to writing a business plan by Biz Kid$
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 essential elements of their business. The idea is that kids learn business basics and the economics of running a business while having some fun, creative experience.
How will the fair be set up?
Each business will be given a booth space with a table and 1-2 chairs. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity. Participants will be responsible for bringing any tablecloths, booth decorations, and signage they may need. Everything you bring must fit within the bounds of your booth area without infringing on another booth's space.
The application asks kids to think through some simple but essential elements of their business. The idea is that kids learn business basics and the economics of running a business while having some fun, creative experience.
How will the fair be set up?
Each business will be given a booth space with a table and 1-2 chairs. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity. Participants will be responsible for bringing any tablecloths, booth decorations, and signage they may need. Everything you bring must fit within the bounds of your booth area without infringing on another booth's space.
What is the role of the parent/guardian?
For a child’s first business venture, the focus should not be on them ideating the next million-dollar startup. Instead, the focus should be on them grasping the basics of entrepreneurship. Most importantly, the children should have fun and learn for themselves.
It is essential to have children think of an idea that motivates them to put forth their energy daily. Do not discourage your child from any idea you might see as unattainable. Instead, let your child understand what it will take to develop their absurd idea, as it is more powerful for a child to learn entrepreneurship through hands-on experience.
Interesting article - The 3 “Magic Seeds” of Entrepreneurship.
The goal is for a child to do as much as reasonably possible. Of course, a 10-year-old can't drive across town to buy supplies, but the child can figure out what they need and set a budget of how much to spend. Then, they must do the work, with the parents/ guardians supervising for safety.
Parents/ guardians are responsible for reading emails and communicating information with their children.
Food item businesses should comply with the Spokane County Food Department rules and cottage food laws: https://agr.wa.gov/departments/food-safety/food-safety/cottage-food. Parents/ guardians are requested to consider this vital requirement before applying.
Factsheet for food not requiring a permit - INFO
Since the students keep the profits, the food items would not qualify for the bake sale exemption. If someone wants to make snacks or other baked goods, they must be made in a commissary kitchen, and a TFE permit would be required. A one-day TFE permit is $100. TFE Application (srhd.org)
Cash transactions are allowed; however, online payment may be more convenient for most. To accept online payments via PayPal/ Venmo, a child must have a parent or guardian connect a personal or business bank account to an online payment processor. Sales tax may be applicable.
What are the BizFest rules?
For a child’s first business venture, the focus should not be on them ideating the next million-dollar startup. Instead, the focus should be on them grasping the basics of entrepreneurship. Most importantly, the children should have fun and learn for themselves.
It is essential to have children think of an idea that motivates them to put forth their energy daily. Do not discourage your child from any idea you might see as unattainable. Instead, let your child understand what it will take to develop their absurd idea, as it is more powerful for a child to learn entrepreneurship through hands-on experience.
Interesting article - The 3 “Magic Seeds” of Entrepreneurship.
The goal is for a child to do as much as reasonably possible. Of course, a 10-year-old can't drive across town to buy supplies, but the child can figure out what they need and set a budget of how much to spend. Then, they must do the work, with the parents/ guardians supervising for safety.
Parents/ guardians are responsible for reading emails and communicating information with their children.
Food item businesses should comply with the Spokane County Food Department rules and cottage food laws: https://agr.wa.gov/departments/food-safety/food-safety/cottage-food. Parents/ guardians are requested to consider this vital requirement before applying.
Factsheet for food not requiring a permit - INFO
Since the students keep the profits, the food items would not qualify for the bake sale exemption. If someone wants to make snacks or other baked goods, they must be made in a commissary kitchen, and a TFE permit would be required. A one-day TFE permit is $100. TFE Application (srhd.org)
Cash transactions are allowed; however, online payment may be more convenient for most. To accept online payments via PayPal/ Venmo, a child must have a parent or guardian connect a personal or business bank account to an online payment processor. Sales tax may be applicable.
What are the BizFest rules?
Only products/services created by children will be allowed. Reselling products and promotion of other established businesses will not be allowed.
Only one parent/ guardian of younger children will be allowed to sit in the booth, but the children will solely be responsible for customer interaction and sales.
This event is designed to give children the experience of selling a product or service. If a parent/ guardian is found selling or promoting a child’s product or service, their child’s business may be disqualified from the competition (if held).
Only one parent/ guardian of younger children will be allowed to sit in the booth, but the children will solely be responsible for customer interaction and sales.
This event is designed to give children the experience of selling a product or service. If a parent/ guardian is found selling or promoting a child’s product or service, their child’s business may be disqualified from the competition (if held).
Parents or guardians may help their children complete the application, but we expect them to do as much as possible independently.
The BizFest team reserves the right to reject an application that does not meet the rules of the fair.
