📣
Deadline to apply - May 10, 2025
Acton Children's Business Fair Concord, CA
Saturday, May 17, 2025
12:00PM - 3:00PM
Currently accepting applications 🏁
Apply to the fair
About the fair
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 booths at the 4th annual event at the Gehringer Community Garden at 1790 Lynwood Drive, in Concord on May 18th from noon – 3:00 pm.
Acton Academy, the Acton School of Business, and the generous support of our donors and volunteers sponsor this event. We all believe that principled entrepreneurs are heroes and role models for the next generation.
Whether an entrepreneur is famous like Bill Gates 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
Jana Pappas
🗓️ Started hosting in 2019
✅ Identity verified
🚀 Has hosted 4 fairs
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 40 businesses.
Where should I begin?
Start with our resources 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?
An 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?
Why is the booth space $25?
The participation fee of $25 for the fair covers essential costs associated with organizing the event, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for all participants. This fee helps fund the prizes awarded to participants, cover the payment for the use of the facility, and handle other miscellaneous expenses necessary to hold the event. It's important to note that this fee is not for profit but is instead reinvested into making the fair a successful and rewarding experience for the young entrepreneurs involved.
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 held outdoors on a community garden property. Each business will get a space to set up its booth. You must provide your own tables, chairs, and shelter. We suggest a pop-up canopy to protect you should your space be open to the sun.
Will electricity be available?
Yes, but it will be limited. Let us know right away if you will need electricity. You may be required to provide your own extension cord.
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 without notification.
Parents of younger children may sit in the booth, but the children should be responsible for setting up, interacting with customers, and making sales.
Parents may help their children 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, 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.
