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Business registration for 2018 has now closed. Please come shop the fair on November 10th!
Acton Children's Business Fair Chicago, IL
Saturday, November 10, 2018
10:00AM - 12:00PM
This fair has ended
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About the fair
Embrace this opportunity for children aged 5-13 to launch their very own startup business! Interested young entrepreneurs will need to develop a brand, create a product or service and build a marketing strategy before they open for customers at our one-day marketplace.
We will host 50 child-created businesses at the 5th annual Greenfields Children's Business Fair to be held at Quantum LEEP (1447 W Montrose) on Saturday, November 10th from 10 am – 12 pm. There is a $20 exhibitor charge for each business. However, admission is free for shoppers so invite all of your friends and family to attend!
This event is sponsored by Greenfields Academy, a K-12 school on the north side of Chicago, and supported by our generous 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
Maggie Baker
🗓️ Started hosting in 2018
🚀 Has hosted 4 fairs
Greenfields Academy offers a truly different approach to school on the north side of Chicago. Supported by the latest in technology and cognitive science, we move beyond the traditional tools of lectures, homework, high-stakes tests, and grades.
At Greenfields, our students learn in collaborative classrooms of multi-age learners. Our flexible approach challenges each student with their own differentiated learning plan and inspires them through real-world projects and experiences. Our annual Children's Business Fair is a great example of our project-based learning in action!
Want more of this kind of inspired, real-life learning for your own child? Join us for an info session this fall to learn more about our K-12 programs. Sign up here.
9 booths participating
Charlotte's Treasures
Glam Slime
And 7 others.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Greenfields Children’s Business Fair?
The Greenfields Children’s Business Fair inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneur. 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.
Where should I begin?
Start with this page of resources. Here you can read inspiring stories about other young entrepreneurs, find a guide for creating a business plan, 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 does it cost for a child to exhibit?
There is a $20 fee for each participating business, to help cover the event costs. This should be calculated into the profit and loss! There is no cost for people to come shop at the fair.
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 an indoor event in several interconnected rooms. Each business will be given table space (approx 4' wide) and 1-2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided.
Will electricity be available?
We have very limited access to electricity at the booths. Apply early and let us know you need this and we will try our best.
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 near the booth, but the children should be fully 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 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, the concept has spread and there are over 100 Children's Business Fairs globally. As a member of the Acton School Network, Greenfields Academy has been hosting Children's Business Fairs in Chicago for the past 5 years.
