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UPDATE - We are no longer accepting applications! Registration for our Fall Business Fair will open up in August!
Acton Children's Business Fair Winchester, VA
Saturday, April 13, 2019
12:00PM - 4:00PM
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About the fair
Please note: We are no longer accepting applications for the Spring business fair!
Join us to support local children to launch their very own startup business!
Join us to support local 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 up to 30 booths at the next semi annual Winchester Children’s Business Fair on April 13th 2019 from 12pm to 4pm on the Old Town Walking Mall. We will also hold a Launch Event in March for local business owners to offer their experience, advice and answering any questions for our young entrepreneurs to be prepared for the Fair!
This event is hosted by Miss Abilities Organization and proceeds will benefit their nonprofit cause. 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
Jessica Edwards
🗓️ Started hosting in 2018
🚀 Has hosted 4 fairs
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.
33 booths participating
Dip Away!
The Violet Flame
And 31 others.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Children’sBusiness Fair?
Acton Children’s Business Fairs inspire children to discover their inner entrepreneur. The largest entrepreneurship event for kids in North America, these one-day markets give children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses.
How many businesses will you accept?
We will accept up to 30 businesses.
How much will it cost?
There is no fee to apply but upon acceptance there will be a $20 vendor fee
Where should I begin?
Start with our resources page. Read inspiring stories about other young entrepreneurs and play games to hone your business skills. We are also offering a Launch Event where a panel of local business owners will be able to sit down with you and answer any questions or offer suggestions to help you build your business!
How do I apply? Can I apply as part of a group?
Application must be submitted online by no later than March 17th - this allows businesses time to create and develop their product or service. 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 will the fair be set up?
Each business will share a space with another young entrepreneur- each business will need to bring their own 6-8 foot table and chairs. Businesses will have the option to bring their own 10x10 tent to share with another business or may rent tents for $55. 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 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.
How did the original 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.
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