The Eastern Shore Children's Business Fair is a one-day marketplace that gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses. Our mission is to educate and equip young people with the skills, resources, and mindset to become innovative entrepreneurs, confident leaders, and change-makers in their communities. We believe in unlocking the potential of every youth through opportunity, education, mentorship, and real-world experience, fostering a generation of empowered trailblazers ready to shape the future.

Applications 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?

There is no cost to apply, but there is a $25 non-refundable booth fee for participants who are selected.

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 outdoor event with booths. Each entrepreneur will be responsible for bringing tables, chairs and supplies needed to set up his or her booth. Tents are encouraged, but not mandatory. Tents must be solid in color. No team logos or designs. Solid only. Table cloths will not be provided. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.

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, the child’s business will be disqualified from the competition portion of the fair.
Products must be homemade by the participant. No store-bought stuff here—just amazing homemade creations from kid entrepreneurs like you!

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.
Entrepreneurs must be ages 7-17 and be a resident of Baldwin County.
New participants must attend orientation on 9/23 at 6pm. All participants must attend the ESCBF launch party on 9/30 at 6pm. Locations TBD.
Are there any other requirements?
Participants will be presented with the opportunity to seek sponsors for the fair. This is not mandatory for participation, but is a great exercise in conversation skills, networking, and fundraising!

The Eastern Shore Children's Business Fair (ESCBF) was launched by Lynne Holloway and her daughter, Sara with inspiration and resources from the Acton Children's Business Fair.
When Sara approached her parents with an idea for her own business they encouraged her to research ways to develop and market her idea in her own community. Within a day Sara discovered Acton Children's Business Fairs, the largest entrepreneur events for kids in North America. After an application and interview process, the Holloways were given the green light to launch their own children's business fair, right here on the Eastern Shore! The first ESCBF was held in the fall of 2018 with over 40 young entreprenuers representing 25 businesses.
How can I become an ESCBF sponsor?
The ESCBF is a current and valid 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization in accordance with the standards and regulations of the Internal
Revenue Service (IRS). If you want to empower young people with bright ideas, consider becoming a volunteer, a sponsor, or a donor. Sponsors can receive business advertising, social media shout-outs, and booths at the fair. Contact Lynne Holloway at EasternShoreCBF@gmail.com for more information.