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Applications Open Now!
Acton Children's Business Fair Chevy Chase, MD
Sunday, December 10, 2023
2:00PM - 4:00PM
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About the fair
Hi! My name is Piya Scielzo, and I'm a 17 year old social entrepreneur! I founded my nonprofit baking business, Pops by Piya, when I was 12. Participating in Acton Children's Business Fairs helped me grow my business, learn valuable skills, and build friendships with other young entrepreneurs. Over the last few years, I've loved organizing and hosting fairs to ensure that kids in our community continue to have access to these great opportunities. I have hosted five successful fairs and hope you will apply to participate in my sixth event!
Information:
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 approximately 20 businesses indoors at the Social Hall in the Jane E. Lawton Community Recreation Center in Chevy Chase, MD on Sunday December 10th, from 2 pm – 4 pm. Businesses will begin their setup at 1 pm and take down will be from 4 - 4:30 pm. The event will have a "Winter Holiday Bazaar" theme with music, festive decorations, and raffle prizes!
Information:
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 approximately 20 businesses indoors at the Social Hall in the Jane E. Lawton Community Recreation Center in Chevy Chase, MD on Sunday December 10th, from 2 pm – 4 pm. Businesses will begin their setup at 1 pm and take down will be from 4 - 4:30 pm. The event will have a "Winter Holiday Bazaar" theme with music, festive decorations, and raffle prizes!
Kids ages 6-14 are welcome to apply for a booth. There is a $20 fee per business once your application is approved. I will provide a table and chairs for each business. Prizes will be awarded for Highest Business Potential and Best Marketing Presentation.
I'll be holding a workshop for kids in the next few weeks to share tips and strategies for your businesses. Stay tuned for more information!
This event is sponsored by Acton Academy, the Acton School of Business, The Town of Chevy Chase, and the generous support of our donors and volunteers. We all believe that principled entrepreneurs are heroes and role models for the next generation.
This event is sponsored by Acton Academy, the Acton School of Business, The Town of Chevy Chase, and the generous support of our donors and volunteers. We all believe that principled entrepreneurs are heroes and role models for the next generation.
Hosted by
Piya Scielzo
🗓️ Started hosting in 2021
✅ Identity verified
🚀 Has hosted 6 fairs
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 will accept up to 20 businesses.
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 2 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 a tented indoor event with booths. Each business will be given a booth with an 6-foot table and 1-2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.
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. 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.
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.
