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.
We will host 20 booths at the 1st annual Hartland Children's Business Fair at Nixon Park in Hartland on June 8th from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
This event is sponsored by 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 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
Chloe Machajewski (Emme)
🗓️ Started hosting in 2024
✅ Identity verified
🚀
Has hosted
1 fair
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.
Chloe Emme Event Organizer + Small Business Owner
Chloe Emme - Hartland Children's Business Fair Founder Chloe is a mom of two wonderful children, ages 7 and 1. She is also the owner of two local small businesses, Agency 722 and Creative Hiring. She started her entrepreneurial career formally at the age of 21 when she opened her first retail store in Breckenridge, Colorado. But long before that, she was selling lemonade and bracelets from her driveway! As a mother she has seen her children flourish in the principles of entrepreneurship and wants to provide that experience to other children in our community!
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 this resource 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 jewelry 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 outdoor event with tables lining the walking path to Nixon Park. Each business will be given a "business location" with room for a 6-foot table. Tablecloths and chairs 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 do I need to bring day of?
You will be assigned a 6 ft wide x 10 ft deep "business location". Please bring a table to use as your storefront, along with a table covering, chairs, and anything you plan to sell. Snacks and water are also must-haves!
What are the rules?
Children aged 6-14 are allowed to apply.
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.
Our incredible sponsors
Children's Business Fair
Acton Academy
Next Great Adventure
Creative Hiring
Agency 722
Birch & Banyan Coffee
The Lake Country Mom
Inflate MKE
Join our mailing list
Participating booths
Aspen’s Rocks
Soul Sisters Creations
Final Course Desserts
Rylee Reads
Liz's Bake Sale
Linked Forever
Enchanted Fungi
Sweet Treatz Galore
Beads and Things
Drawing for Fun
OG Cards
Jewelry of the Hippogriff
Lettie-Nade
Rock Out
Contact us
Have a question for us? Contact us below and we will be in touch as soon as possible with
a reply. Thanks for your interest!
The Acton Children's Business Fair does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin and admits and gives all hosts and participants access to the same rights, privileges, programs and activities.
