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. We are bringing it to Yarmouth and creating the first "Yarmouth Children's Entrepreneur Fair".

We will accept up to 25 businesses.
Does it cost money to apply?

Yes, there is a $10 fee to have a booth at the fair. This is part of the ownership in learning about the cost of business and to get the children invested in their idea! Once the child's application is accepted, they will be told how to pay for their booth.
Where does the money go?

After paying any fees associated with holding the fair, the profits will be donated back into our community.

Applications 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 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?

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.

The fair will be in the Yarmouth Community Center at 20 Mill St.
Each business will be given a "booth space" (3-4 feet of table) and a chair. (If you need a bigger table, please let us know in your application). Tablecloths will not be provided but you are encouraged to bring things to spruce up your space and make your business appealing.

Please let us know in your application if you need access to electricity.

This event is designed to give children the experience of selling a product or service. We strongly discourage parents from selling or promoting a child’s product or service at the fair. (Please do invite all of your friends & family to come shop at the fair!)

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.

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.
In 2024 we are bringing this idea to Yarmouth and hosting the first Yarmouth Children's Entrepreneur Fair.