Acton Children's Business Fair Holland, MI
Saturday, April 20, 2019
10:00AM - 12:00PM
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About the fair
Here is an 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 30 booths ($20.00 entry fee per booth*) at the very first annual event at the Holland Civic Center on April 20 from 10 a.m. to noon.
This event is sponsored by Biggby Coffee of Holland, 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.
Hosted by
Jennifer Dykema
🗓️ Started hosting in 2019
🚀 Has hosted 2 fairs
Let your 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 30 booths ($20.00 entry fee per booth*) at the very first annual event at the Holland Civic Center on April 20 from 10 a.m. to noon.
We are a team of passionate entrepreneurs, business owners, and parents who hope to create an environment for children to learn through both successes & feedback as to how to make a positive contribution in a consciously capitalistic society.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cost?
$20 per booth + $10 per additional participant (this allows siblings to share a business or even split a table and have two separate businesses and still each receive a t-shirt). Maximum of 3 children at a booth.
What age children may participate?
4 - 12 years old (younger children are encouraged to partner up with an older sibling or friend)
What age children may participate?
4 - 12 years old (younger children are encouraged to partner up with an older sibling or friend)
How many businesses will you accept?
We will accept up to 30 businesses.
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. Each child will receive a Holland Children's Business Fair t-shirt!
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?
Is this a competition?
Yes, but our primary goal in creating the business fair isn't to identify a winner, rather to give children the incredible experience of operating a business. However, our local "celebrity" judges will award several prizes at the end of the business fair.
What are some business ideas?
In our experience, the ideas are as varied as the children creating them. Some popular ideas: homemade slime or play-doh, chocolate dipped rice-krispy treats, lego cars, hair bows and pearler bead creations. The list could go on, but hopefully this gives you an idea of all the different ways your child could participate.
What if someone else has the same business idea?
What are some business ideas?
In our experience, the ideas are as varied as the children creating them. Some popular ideas: homemade slime or play-doh, chocolate dipped rice-krispy treats, lego cars, hair bows and pearler bead creations. The list could go on, but hopefully this gives you an idea of all the different ways your child could participate.
What if someone else has the same business idea?
Two cupcake businesses? Not a problem, we will let market forces play out.
How will the fair be set up?
The fair will be in the Holland Civic Center. Each business will be given a booth with a table and 2 chairs. Table cloths will NOT be provided. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity as we cannot guarantee your booth will be near an outlet.
Will electricity be available?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the booths.
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.
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.
Our incredible sponsors
Presenting Sponsor is Biggby Coffee Holland -- keep watching for an updated list of sponsors!
(If you're interested in sponsoring our event this year or in the future, please contact us at HollandCBF@gmail.com)
(If you're interested in sponsoring our event this year or in the future, please contact us at HollandCBF@gmail.com)
