Fox Cities Youth Business Fair
Saturday, August 10, 2024
11:00AM - 3:00PM
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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 between 7-10 booths at the 1st annual event at Jefferson Park in Menasha, WI on August 10th, 2024 from 11:00am – 3:00pm.
This event is sponsored by Acton Academy, the Acton School of Business, and the generous support of our donors and 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 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
Amanda Wigfall
🗓️ Started hosting in 2024
🚀 Has hosted 1 fair
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Acton Children’s Business Fair?
The Fox Cites Youth Business Fair inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneur. Sponsored by the largest entrepreneurship event company 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?
This year we will accept up to 7-10 businesses.
Where should I begin?
Start with our resources HERE. Explore and play games to hone your business skills.
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. We will try to limit same businesses to 2 or 3 for a broader fair experience.
How will the fair be set up?
The fair will be an outdoor event with each business having a designated area. Each business will need to provide their own 6-foot table, and corresponding chairs. Small tents are recommended, but will not be provided. We also ARE NOT able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity. (If a business application is approved and set up assistance is needed, we can provide for an additional fee.)
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 it will be reflect results 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 Fox Cities Youth 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. They sparked a wordwide movement which allowed other companies like us to host out our Youth Business Fairs with their mentorship, guidance, and assistance.
