The Jefferson City 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.

Start with our resources page. Read inspiring stories about other young entrepreneurs and play games to hone your business skills.

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?

Business owners may only sell items from their own brand that have been made by the business owner. All items sold have to be original.

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 an indoor event with booths. Each business will be given a booth with an 6-8 foot table and 1-2 chairs. Any tablecloths, decor or other items needed will need to be supplied by the business owners.

There will be a few electrical outlets available throughout the pavilion.

This event is designed to give children the experience of selling a product or service. Parents or adults accompanying the child should not sell or promote any of the products.

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.
All businesses should sell original products/services. Reselling items (Avon, Mary Kay, jewelry, etc) will not be allowed. All items sold should be made/manufactured by the child entrepreneurs.

By participating in the business fair, you are consenting to video or photos being taken and used for promotional or informational purposes for the business fair organizers and/or sponsors.

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.