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Acton Lakeside Children's Business Fair
Saturday, June 8, 2024
10:00AM - 1:00PM
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About the fair
We invite you to support young heroes as they launch their very own startup business!
Young heroes 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 36 businesses at the 2nd annual event at Acton Academy Lakeside, 502 Cahoon Rd, Bay Village on Saturday, June 8th, from 10am to 1pm. (Rain date Saturuday, June 15th.)
This event is sponsored by Acton Academy Lakeside, Acton Academy Network, the Acton School of Business, and the generous support of our 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 Richard Branson 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.
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The Acton Children's Business Fair at Acton Academy Lakeside sparks children's entrepreneurial spirit.
As a part of the largest entrepreneurship series for children in North America, this morning-long fair gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses.
Children ages 6 to 14 are invited to create a product or service and sell to customers at our market. Judges award prizes to recognize excellent work.
The cost to enter is $20 per business (pay through Venmo @actonlakeisde or a check to Acton Lakeside. See FAQs for more information.) Each participant receives a 8ft table and 1-2 chairs. We highly recommend you bring a 10ft x 10ft tent if you want protection from the elements (rain or sun).
Children ages 6 to 14 are invited to create a product or service and sell to customers at our market. Judges award prizes to recognize excellent work.
The cost to enter is $20 per business (pay through Venmo @actonlakeisde or a check to Acton Lakeside. See FAQs for more information.) Each participant receives a 8ft table and 1-2 chairs. We highly recommend you bring a 10ft x 10ft tent if you want protection from the elements (rain or sun).
Past businesses have included handmade greeting cards, a puppy petting business, shaved ice, homemade soaps, and many others! The possibilities are limited only to what children can create.
Originally started in Austin, Texas, the Acton Children's Business Fair has grown to over 455 fairs around the world, serving 23,022 young entrepreneurs in 206 cities and 12 countries.
To learn more about the tight-knit, learner driven community of Acton Academy Lakeside, click here.
To learn more about the tight-knit, learner driven community of Acton Academy Lakeside, click here.
26 booths participating
Sparkle Face
Tie Dye Guy
And 24 others.
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 36 businesses.
Where should I begin?
Get inspired by watching stories of young entpreneurs! Khan Academy has a series of interviews you can find here. You can also watch other Acton Children's Business Fairs on youtube. One example from Acton DC is here.
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 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 do I pay my $20 entry fee?
How do I pay my $20 entry fee?
Venmo @actonlakeside or send a check made out to Acton Lakeside (502 Cahoon Rd, Bay Village, OH 44140). Please note your business name in the comments or memo section. Your application is not considered complete until we receive payment.
How will the fair be set up?
The fair will be a outdoor event with booths. Each business will be given a booth with an 8-foot table and 1-2 chairs. Please bring a tent - we recommend about 10 ft x 10ft. Table cloths will not be provided. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity but if you need a generator, you can bring your own... just let us know!
Does the CBF supply a tent?
Does the CBF supply a tent?
No, we do not supply a tent for each business. But, we recommend you bring a 10ft x 10ft tent to provide protection from the elements.
Will electricity be available?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the booths, but you are able to bring your own generator. Please let us know if you are!
Is it rain or shine?
Is it rain or shine?
With moderate to heavy rain, we will postpone and have a rain date of Saturday, June 15. The decision to postpone will be made as early as possible and communicated to all participants via email.
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. This means child-led creation of products, pricing, marketing materials, etc.
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.
