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.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR 2018.
This event is sponsored by Acton Academy Jacksonville 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
Mary Shaeffer
🗓️ Started hosting in 2017
✅ Identity verified
🚀
Has hosted
8 fairs
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.
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 50 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?
Young entrepreneurs first make an important decision: they hire themselves! Applications must be submitted online. Participants will 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.
There is no application fee, but we do collect a $20 participation fee (per child) which may be made through Paypal as the application is completed.
After applying, children bring their parents or guardians to attend the Launch Event which will take place a few weeks before the Fair . This is where accepted businesses can meet fellow entrepreneurs, ask questions, and share ideas.
The children plan their business at every level: product, service, marketing, accounting, cost of goods, pricing, etc. During this process, they learn a sense of wonder, the importance of hard work, taking responsibility, and gaining confidence in the next challenge.
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.
How will the fair be set up?
The fair will be a tented outdoor event with booths. Each business will be given a 6-foot table and chairs for each participant. 10X10 tents will be provided that is to be shared by 2 businesses. Table cloths will not be provided.
Food products may be sold, but may not be prepared or warmed in the booth.
Will electricity be available?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the booths.
What are the rules?
All entries will be automatically entered in the business competition, and booths will be judged by fellow entrepreneurs on a variety of criteria, including: Most Original Business Idea, Highest Business Potential, and Best Presentation/Creativity.
Applicants must be between the ages of 6 - 16 on or before the day of the fair.
Parents of younger children may sit in their booth, but the children are to be responsible for the setup, sales and interacting with the 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 the customer or promoting the child’s product will result in disqualification from the competition.
Is there a fee to participate in the Children's Business Fair?
There is a $20 participation fee due at signup. Also, in order to promote philanthropy, we do encourage that all young entrepreneurs donate at least 10% of their sales to the charity of their choice.
I've submitted my application. Now what?
Once we receive your application, we will send you an email with details on how to proceed and all you need to know in preparation for the event.
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.
Our incredible sponsors
We are thrilled to have the support of amazing sponsors! AAJ logo transparent.png 52.68 KB Our lead sponsor is Acton Academy Jacksonville, a member of the Acton Academy network that is working hard to disrupt education in Northeast Florida. This innovative program utilizes self-paced blended learning with authentic project-based quests to unleash each student's inner talents. Currently open to children aged 4 to 11, Acton Academy Jacksonville believes in a student-centered approach that empowers each child to take ownership of their education.
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.
