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Welcome, Pensacola pelicans! Applications are now CLOSED as of 2/22. Join our mailing list so you will be the FIRST to know when applications open up before the public will for our next fair. See you at the event for an amazing time!
Now accepting sponsorships and community partners who want to spark the entrepreneurial spirit in our young makers! Contact Jennifer Fernandez at PCBFSponsorship@gmail.com
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Welcome, Pensacola pelicans! Applications are now CLOSED as of 2/22. Join our mailing list so you will be the FIRST to know when applications open up before the public will for our next fair. See you at the event for an amazing time!
Now accepting sponsorships and community partners who want to spark the entrepreneurial spirit in our young makers! Contact Jennifer Fernandez at PCBFSponsorship@gmail.com
Observe the opportunity for children to launch their very own startup business right here in Pensacola, FL!
Kids ages 6-17 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 40 booths at the inaugural event at Bare Hand Collective in Pensacola, FL on Saturday, May 18, 2019 from 11am-2pm. Afterwards, the young entrepreneurs will attend a VIP Learn & Grub After Hours Session and attend one of the two youth financial education age-appropriate seminars with food, and entertainment to reward their hard work.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Thursday, April 4th, 2019 by 5pm CST
VENDOR LAUNCH PARTY: Friday, April 5th, 2019 | 5:30-7pm Don’t miss our Kickoff Launch party for all accepted vendors! Will be held before and alongside Bare Hand Collective's First Friday night market to go over tips, fair expectations, and to see booth setup, interaction, and a dedicated kid maker's workshop.
IMPORTANT DETAILS: Applications are processed weekly starting February 4th, 2019, on a first-come first-served basis. No more than three businesses can sell a similar product (i.e. slime, bath bombs). All products must be home-made and not store bought - we want to encourage young creatives to build a product and launch from scratch! We will accept services-based businesses. Last minute changes to business plans may not be accepted due to planning and logistics. There is a $12 participation fee for indoor booths (max 30); $6 for outdoor (max 10). Just like a real market, you’ll be responsible for bringing your own supplies such as 6’ table, chairs, and tent (outside only). If you are selling food, make sure you become familiar with Florida's cottage law under Escambia County. Unfortunately we cannot accept drinks under the cottage law. 2/21/19 UPDATE: No longer accepting slime, skin care/bath and body (bath bombs, soap, balms, etc.), jewelry and accessories - these categories have been filled! Once you apply, expect to hear back within 5 business days or the following Monday. A $12 (for indoors) or $6 (outdoors) non-refundable vendor participation fee must be paid within 72 hours of acceptance. If payment is not received by that time, the spot will be forfeited to the next entrepreneur in line due to the high number of excited applicants.
Call for Volunteers and Sponsors! If you are an entrepreneur that would like to inspire our young business owners, please consider volunteering the day of event, and/or joining Bare Hand Collective as a sponsor for this event! Mentor positions have already been filled. Contact Jennifer Fernandez at PCBFsponsorship@gmail.com.
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.
Questions?
Read our FAQ below the Sponsors section. For further info, contact:
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: 26 indoors, 14 outdoors. Indoor booths ($12) have a max 6x6’ space; outdoor booths ($6) have 10x10’ and will need to provide their own tent. You will need to provide your own table, chairs, supplies, etc. like a real market.
Where should I begin?
Start with our resourcespage. 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?
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. We will limit 3 per category just so there's not 18 lemonade stands in one market. 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?
PCBF will be hosted inside the Bldg. 3 warehouse and on the adjoining patio with family fun and entertainment located directly outside. Outdoor booths will placed directly in front of the warehouse and adjoining patio within an enclosed parking lot. Parking will be in the front lot in Bldg. 1 and 2. Bare Hand Collective is an interdisciplinary collaborative working space and education hub for makers, artists, musicians, designers, and the like.
How will the booths be set up? Bare Hand Collective’s warehouse offers unique booth spaces with an industrial backdrop of eclectic artwork from their local resident artists. Indoor spaces will be taped to clearly show your allocated space. Outdoor spaces allow for a full size 10x10' tent in an open air atmosphere. Try out a few different compositions to allow for changes of display to fit your shape.
We welcome crafting, sketching, working at your booth to create interest and showcase the ‘handmade’ aspect of our businesses. How can you enhance your visitor’s experience?
Will electricity be available?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the booths.
What are the rules?
A $12 (for indoors) or $6 (outdoors) non-refundable vendor participation fee must be paid within 72 hours of acceptance. If payment is not received by that time, the spot will be forfeited to the next entrepreneur in line.
It is the responsibility of the guardian/participant to check their email (spam) and social media communications from the CBF on a daily basis, as this is our primary means of communication with the group.
The CBF will establish a firm cap of 40 businesses based on location and resources.
If an applicant’s business idea is similar to entries that were accepted before the applicant’s submission, the CBF will notify the applicant and provide the opportunity to resubmit a new application.
Applicants must be between the ages of six to 17 on the event date.
No businesses requiring electricity or generators will be allowed.
Parents of younger children may sit in their booth, but the children are to be responsible for setup, sales and interacting with customers. This event is designed to give children a taste of selling a product. Please let them have that experience!
Any parent seen selling to customers or promoting the child’s product at the event will result in disqualification from the fair and upcoming fairs.
Completion and submission of an application means you (the vendor & guardian) agree to these rules and guidelines.
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.
This event is sponsored by Bare Hand Collective, 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. Our sponsorships have closed for the spring event - Please consider joining as a sponsor for our future workshops and Winter event by contacting Jennifer Fernandez at PCBFsponsorship@gmail.com. Download our Sponsorship Form to see your options.
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Participating booths
I Lav my Cats
Macy’s DIY Creations
Levi's Paints
Hanson House
Vaca Fingerboards
TRINITY
Crazylipz & Jewelz
Lollipop Loops
Bee Makes
Sister's Skin Care
Sweet Sisters Honey
Full of Charm Designs by Stella
Magnetic by Celeste
The Acton Children's Business Fair does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin and admits and gives all hosts and participants access to the same rights, privileges, programs and activities.
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