The Acton Children’s Business Fair inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneur. The largest entrepreneurship event for kids in North America, this one-afternoon market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses.

We will accept up to 30 businesses.

Any child aged 6-15 (on or before the date of the fair), is invited to develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at our one-day marketplace.

 

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 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.

You will receive an email with your acceptance.  Once you have been accepted, you will have access to resources to help you on your journey of becoming an entrepreneur! 

 

The fair will be located in Historic Downtown Weatherford (parking lot adjacent to The Haps). Each business will be assigned an 8-foot table and 1-2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided. Please plan to come early (9AM or after) to set up your product to be ready by 10AM. 

 

There is a $10.00 nonrefundable booth fee for each business to secure your spot. Once accepted, payments can be made through Venmo. 

Each business will be provided with a 8' rectangular table and 1-2 chairs. You are permitted to bring easels and decorations. Feel free to email if you want to inquire about bringing other bigger items.

Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the booths.

 

This event is designed to give children the experience of selling a product or service. 

 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.

Please remember to keep this about the children. Let them imagine, create, and problem solve. Your job is to maintain enthusiasm and provide encouragement.

 

Keep it simple. This is a children’s fair. Let the business plan, booth, and sales reflect your child at her/his best, not your best.

 

Let your child do the work. Let them make mistakes and learn from them. Let her/him problem solve and come up with his own solutions. Let your child be the Chair of the Board, CEO, and owner of his/her ideas.

One tablecloth to fit a 8' table, decoration, signage and everything else you need to run a successful business. Be creative. 

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.

 

If you are interested in volunteering or sponsoring the event, please email family.francis.inc.2019@gmail.com