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.

We will accept up to 40 businesses.

Who can participate?

Youth between the ages of 6 and 16 can apply.

Read the F.A.Q. information on this page, watch the posted video to understand how it works. 

Complete the online application, and do your best to answer all of the questions yourself (parents can oversee this process). 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.  When you submit the form, you will be auto-directed to Paypal to pay a $19 booth fee.

The application asks kids to think through some simple, but important elements of their business:

All participants will also be also be asked to sign a standard liability waiver for the event.

What kind of business can I have?

The timing of our event is also the beginning of the holiday shopping season. Who will you be inviting to shop and what kinds of products or services would be appealing to them? You can also think about stocking stuffers, gift giving, and holiday items that might appeal to your shoppers at this time of year.

Our marketplace will only showcase handmade products or unique experiences...so get those creative juices flowing!  Due to city regulations, we unfortunately cannot have food/beverage vendors or re-sellers (purchasing ready-made items, and selling them at a higher price for profit).  As savvy business people, we choose to see this is an opportunity to think outside the box, looking for ways to meet the needs of our customers within these restrictions and see some great ideas come to life!

Some healthy competition is good in business,  but we are keen to avoid stifling the potential sales for booths with similar products. So, if too many applicants want to sell the same type of product, we will ask later applicants to rethink their idea and reapply with a different product if they can.

The fair will take place in a banquet hall, set up with aisles of rectangular tables set for an easy customer shopping experience.  There may also be a row of tables down the outdoor covered hallway leading into the banquet hall. Each business will be given a 6-foot table, and a chair for each child participant. Bring your own table cloth, money to make change, and anything you will need for your display and sales.  We are not able to provide electricity.

Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity.

This event is designed to give children the experience of selling a product or service, from a-z. You will interact with customers, make transactions, and handle payments, learning as you go.  

Parents of younger children may sit in the booth for supervision, and limit their help to assist with money math if needed -  but kids should be responsible for all customer interactions, and sales.

Children should attempt to fill out the application on their own (with parents permission and supervision of course).

Will there be recognition?

The Pasadena Children's Business Fair is a showcase of entrepreneurship. Your sales volume and customer interest should be a good measure of your success as a business owner.   Designated "Secret Shoppers" will be visiting each booth, asking questions or purchasing items to see how students manage at their booth. At the end of the event, constructive and encouraging feedback will be mailed out to each participant so they know how to polish their business skills for the next event!

At the end of the event, all participants will gather for a group picture,  and special awards.  Once you are packed up, and your area is inspected for checkout, you will end your time at the fair by claiming your amazing swag bag full of gifts and rewards, courtesy of our sponsors.

What is the booth fee used for?

The costs for hosting an event like this include location rental, table and chair rentals, insurance and office/printing related costs.  The booth fee of $19 for each participating business, is applied towards these expenses.  The event itself does not make any profit - that's for our businesses to enjoy!
You will directed to Paypal at the end of your application.  If for some reason your application in not accepted, your payment will be refunded in full.

How do I advertise?

We ask each participant to brainstorm about all the ways they can get the word out about this event.  Think of friends, family, classmates, neighbors, fellow club or church members, sports teams and all the other people you know, who would want to support you in this new business venture.  We will send you a digital flyer that you can print or post to invite people to the event. 

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.