📣
Due to the overwhelming number of applications we've received, APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED. Decisions will be made no later than Friday, May 19th and FAMILIES WILL BE NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL whether or not we are able to accommodate their child's business.
Any business that is not selected will be placed on our list for consideration for the next business fair. We would love to accommodate all children, but due to limited space, we have to limit the applicants.
Best of luck to all of our future business leaders!
City of Dearborn Children's Business Fair
Saturday, May 25, 2024
2:00PM - 4:00PM
This fair has ended
Find another fair
About the fair
Observe the opportunity for children 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.
Inspired by the children's book THE GREAT LABNE TRADE by Eman Saleh, The City of Dearborn along with the Amity Foundation, will now host 80 booths (exceeding our original goal of 50) at the first annual event in Dearborn on Sunday, June 4th, 2023 from 2:00-4:00 PM at Ford Field Park.
This event is sponsored by Dearborn Parks & Recs, Eman Saleh Books, The Amity Foundation, Acton Academy, the Acton School of Business, 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 Jeff Bezos 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
Eman Saleh
🗓️ Started hosting in 2022
✅ Identity verified
🚀 Has hosted 2 fairs
The City of Dearborn along with the Amity Foundation is hosting this event which was inspired by the children's book about a young entrepreneur, THE GREAT LABNE TRADE by Eman Saleh.
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.
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.
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 initially had a goal of 50 business. Due to the overwhelming number of applicants we will now be accepting up to 80 applicants!
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?
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 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?
The fair will be held under the pavilion (North Shelter at Ford Field Park). Each business will be given a picnic table (to share with one other business), Table cloths will be provided, but children are welcome to bring their own clothes.
Will electricity be available?
Some booths may have access to electricity. Please contact us if this is needed.
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.
At this time, the event is open to City of Dearborn residents only.
At this time, the event is open to City of Dearborn residents only.
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.
