Acton Children's Business Fair Jackson , Tennessee
Saturday, May 24, 2025
10:00AM - 12:00PM
Currently accepting applications 🏁
Apply to the fair
About the fair
Spark Joy Homeschool Co-op and JCT Magnet school are proud to bring the Acton Fair to Jackson TN. This is a great 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. All products MUST be made by the child either independently or with minimal adult help. NO commercial products may be sold or offered at this event UNLESS the item is used to make a new product. For example: A student makes lemonade with a mix, this is acceptable. A student makes their own slime, it is filled with small plastic toys, this is acceptable. If you are unsure if the product is acceptable, please ask. Selling commercial goods can result in dismissal from the Fair and being barred from future events.
Location
Jackson Career and Technology Magnet School, 668 Lexington Ave .
Date and Time: Saturday May 24 10 AM
Contact president Theresa Confer at SpatkJoyHSC@gmail.com for latest info
Jackson Career and Technology Magnet School, 668 Lexington Ave .
Date and Time: Saturday May 24 10 AM
Contact president Theresa Confer at SpatkJoyHSC@gmail.com for latest info
Upon signing up for this event you agree to the following terms and conditions of participation:
*I agree to move my car to the designated parking spot after unloading supplies.
*I agree that I will not interact with customers, i.e., answer questions, take orders, handle food or money. I can assist students with counting and making change for children below grade 5 only.
*I understand that children cannot sell on an adults behalf. Products must have been made by students. No commercial businesses are permitted unless co-owned by a child.
*I understand that bartering is not allowed.
*I understand the event is rain or shine. The event will only be cancelled if there is a severe weather warning such as a tornado watch/warning.
Release of Liability
I release Spark Joy and the Madison County School Systems, and JCT Magnet School from all liability relating to injuries that may occur during our participation in this event. By agreeing to these terms and conditions, I agree to hold them entirely free from any liability, including financial responsibility for injuries incurred, regardless of whether injuries are caused by negligence. I forfeit all right to bring a suit against anyone affiliated with the fair for any reason. I will make every effort to participate in a safe manner.
Photography
I grant Spark Joy the right to take photographs of me, my booth, and my children in connection with our participation in this event. I authorize publishing the same in print and/or electronically. I agree that they may use such photographs of me, my booth, and my children with or without our names and for any lawful purpose, including, for example, such purposes as publicity, illustration, advertising, and web content.
Privacy Policy
I grant Spark Joy the right to take photographs of me, my booth, and my children in connection with our participation in this event. I authorize publishing the same in print and/or electronically. I agree that they may use such photographs of me, my booth, and my children with or without our names and for any lawful purpose, including, for example, such purposes as publicity, illustration, advertising, and web content.
Privacy Policy
We care about your privacy. Here’s a brief overview of how we handle your information:
Information We Collect:
We collect essential information to improve our services, like names and email addresses.
How We Use Your Information:
We use your information to enhance your experience and communicate with you. We may also use it for analytics and research.
Information Sharing:
We don’t sell your information. Your personal information may be shared with the hosting school for purposes of contacting you in the event of a cancellation or emergency only.
Children must be 5 to 17 years old and able to run the booth without their adults interacting with the customers. Parents can assist their child when needed with making change for kids below grade 5. Children must be able to: Prep, cook and serve the food,Take/fulfill orders, and answer questions, take payment and give the change to the customer.
Children must be 5 to 17 years old and able to run the booth without their adults interacting with the customers. Parents can assist their child when needed with making change for kids below grade 5. Children must be able to: Prep, cook and serve the food,Take/fulfill orders, and answer questions, take payment and give the change to the customer.
If your child cannot do these things with minimal help, either pare down the offering, or wait for a future date when they are able to do so.
We welcome children with disabilities or special needs to participate with any necessary parental assistance! Please notify us at check-in. Reasonable accommodations are always acceptable.
PARENTS CODE OF CONDUCT
DO NOT answer questions, take orders, handle food or money. You can assist your child when needed, but CANNOT engage customers directly.
Parents CANNOT prepare, cook or serve food. Parents CANNOT take payment. If you choose to use payment apps, teach your child how to use it beforehand.If there’s no child in the booth, no sales should occur. Place a sign on the table that says "Student will be back in a moment."
Parents are required to remain on the venue premises throughout the duration of the market.It’s your responsibility to make sure all adults in your party are aware of and agree to the rules.
You may sit in the back of the booth, read a book, and act like you’re not listening! Removing yourself (figuratively speaking) is what makes this an incredible learning experience for your child.
No smoking, vaping, or drinking at the market. Proper authorities will be contacted if any of these issues are observed.
If parents do not adhere to these rules, it may result in their child being ineligible to participate in future events
PRODUCTSChildren can sell (almost) anything! It can be handmade, store-bought, food, games or services.
PRODUCTSChildren can sell (almost) anything! It can be handmade, store-bought, food, games or services.
*Food is permitted.
Restricted Items: Farm Fresh Eggs, Raw foods, Raw Milk. These items are not permitted.
Gloves are required to serve food
Allergy warnings: Baked goods containing known allergens are acceptable but all baked goods must be labeled with an allergy warning listing known allergens including but not limited to : milk, eggs, nuts, butter, gluten, wheat
If you are uncertain a recipe may contact an allergen please include the warning.
No fundraisers allowed.
No MLM’s allowed.
No animals are allowed.
Children may NOT sell goods on behalf of their parents. Children must have an active role in the acquisition and/or production of their product.
The market does not regulate what is sold. However, if you notice your neighboring vendor is selling the same item, let the manager know so they can relocate your booth.
CHECK-IN You may not pull a car into the market area to unload your items. Please put your car in the parking lot. Wagons work great!
If you’d like to be next to someone, simply check in together. Booths are not pre-assigned, and you CANNOT choose your space. You must unload and park behind the school. Front parking lot is off limits. It should be left open for customers and handicap persons.
You must bring a trash can for customers.
There will not be power on site. If you are serving hot foods they will need to be cooked in advance.
SELLING
The market’s main requirement is that the kids must run the booth and be present for sales. Children must sell at their booth (no walking the aisles stealing customers) and there’s no yelling to attract customers.
Bartering is NOT allowed. If you sell out, you may break down your booth with the permission of the on site event manager. Please check with sign in desk staff first. Put a Sold Out sign on your table and enjoy the rest of the market. You may not break down early without approval of the on-site market manager.
Marketing by word of mouth is best!
To boost traffic, we encourage vendors to share our digital flyer and let friends, family, and customers know what you’ll be selling and where to find you. Engaging on social media—such as posting updates or going live during the event—can also help attract more visitors to your booth!
CLEAN UP: You are responsible to haul out all your own trash . Leave your booth space clean!
CLEAN UP: You are responsible to haul out all your own trash . Leave your booth space clean!
Hosted by
Theresa Confer
🗓️ Started hosting in 2024
✅ Identity verified
🎉 First-time host
Theresa Confer is a former public school teacher and currently president of Spark Joy Homeschool co-op. Spark Joy offers extra curricular classes to homeschool students in the area.
5 booths participating
Pixel Rocks
Handmade Trinkets
And 3 others.
Frequently asked questions
Sponsorship:
We are seeking sponsors for the fair. If you have a business and would like to display a poster near the registration table and and be posted on our Facebook page and website, please let us know! Sponsorship is completely optional and not required to participate. Sponsorship fee is $25 payable by Venmo. We will email Venmo information to those seeking sponsorship. Reach out to us at SparkJoyHsc@gmail.com
We are seeking sponsors for the fair. If you have a business and would like to display a poster near the registration table and and be posted on our Facebook page and website, please let us know! Sponsorship is completely optional and not required to participate. Sponsorship fee is $25 payable by Venmo. We will email Venmo information to those seeking sponsorship. Reach out to us at SparkJoyHsc@gmail.com
Email the following information:
Business Name
Main Point of contact Person's name
Business Email
Business Phone Number
Business website
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.
Where should I begin?
Begin by having a discussion about what to sell and make a plan to prepare for the fair.
Begin by having a discussion about what to sell and make a plan to prepare for the fair.
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.
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.
What is on the application?
The application asks kids to think through some simple, but important elements of their business. Students will not have their application rejected if they do not complete every part of the application. However, we want them to think through as much of the parts of business planning as possible. Parents may assist students with this.
The application asks kids to think through some simple, but important elements of their business. Students will not have their application rejected if they do not complete every part of the application. However, we want them to think through as much of the parts of business planning as possible. Parents may assist students with this.
- 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?
The fair will be in the JCT Cafeteria.
The fair will be in the JCT Cafeteria.
Will electricity be available?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the booths.
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 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.
