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| OR email us to be on waiting list for this year: niagarakidpreneur@gmail.com
Niagara Children's Business Fair
Saturday, November 6, 2021
11:00AM - 2:00PM
This fair has ended
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About the fair
At the Niagara Children's Business Fair, children ages 6 to 14 have an opportunity to launch their very own startup business and showcase it to the community. Leading up to the event, our kidpreneurs will develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy and gain valuable insight from local entrepreneurs. The kidpreneurs of the first ever Niagara Children's Business Fair will come together on Saturday, November 6th to proudly display and sell their products or service.
This event is open to the public from 11AM to 2PM. We encourage family, friends, community members and entrepreneurs alike to come out and support the next generation of entrepreneurs!
The Niagara Children's Business Fair is cash only and is free to attend. Local charitable organization Community Crew will be accepting school-safe snacks or donations at the door. See FAQ page for full list of snack options. Parking is free through the support of Ball's Falls.
This event is made possible through a partnership with Acton Academy, the Acton School of Business, and the generous support of our donors and volunteers. We believe that principled entrepreneurs are heroes and role models for the next generation, and investing in them is investing in our future.
Join Us! We need your help to make this event a success!
Join Us! We need your help to make this event a success!
- SPONSORS: please complete this form to sponsor the fair or request a full PDF package version through this link
- MENTORS: to share your expertise, please complete this application
- Follow us on social media through the links below
- Mark yourself attending our Facebook event
Photo attribution credits:
https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vector>School photo created by pressfoto
Hosted by
Jessica and Cathy Estabrooks and Bouwers
🗓️ Started hosting in 2019
🚀 Has hosted 2 fairs
We are a small team of passionate entrepreneurs, mentors, and parents, who want children in our community to learn about entrepreneurship in a hands-on, fun and safe way.
Frequently asked questions
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 marketplace gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses.
We are excited to bring the Children's Business Fair to the Niagara region to give kids an opportunity to develop their entrepreneurial skills, to be creative and to share their special gifts and talents with others.
We are excited to bring the Children's Business Fair to the Niagara region to give kids an opportunity to develop their entrepreneurial skills, to be creative and to share their special gifts and talents with others.
What are the event details?
Date: Saturday, November 6, 2021
Time: 11am to 2pm
Location: TBC
Cost: Free to attend
Follow our Facebook page and event for updates @niagarakidpreneur
KID VENDOR FAQ
How many businesses will you accept?
Date: Saturday, November 6, 2021
Time: 11am to 2pm
Location: TBC
Cost: Free to attend
Follow our Facebook page and event for updates @niagarakidpreneur
KID VENDOR FAQ
How many businesses will you accept?
We will accept up to 30 businesses. Applicants must be between the ages of 6 and 14. Additional applicants will be placed on a waiting list.
Where should I begin?
Start with the resources at the bottom of this 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?
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 2 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?
How will the fair be set up?
The fair is held indoors in the learning centre at Ball's Falls Centre for Conservation in the Glen Elgin Room. Each business will be given a 6-foot table and 1-2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided. We are able to accommodate a limited number of businesses requiring electricity. Please indicate your requirements on the application form.
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 awards ceremony.
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.
Parents are expected to check their email and social media communications from the NCBF on a daily basis, as these are our primary means of communication with the group.
What is the timing for event day?
9am to 10am: Setup
10am to 11am: Vendor Presentations
11am to 2pm: Fair Open to the Public
2:30pm to 3pm: Awards
3pm to 4pm: Tear Down
Is there are participation fee?
Businesses are required to pay a non-refundable $10 fee to secure a booth as part of their investment into their business. This investment is part of the authentic experience we are aiming to create for our kidpreneurs. To offset expenses of this fair, we are also requesting a minimum $10 donation from parents of successful registrants.
Will you keep my information private?
Yes! We are committed to keeping your personal information private and will not share such information with any third party. The information collected is for internal purposes only.
Will children be photographed during the event?
Parents are expected to check their email and social media communications from the NCBF on a daily basis, as these are our primary means of communication with the group.
What is the timing for event day?
9am to 10am: Setup
10am to 11am: Vendor Presentations
11am to 2pm: Fair Open to the Public
2:30pm to 3pm: Awards
3pm to 4pm: Tear Down
Is there are participation fee?
Businesses are required to pay a non-refundable $10 fee to secure a booth as part of their investment into their business. This investment is part of the authentic experience we are aiming to create for our kidpreneurs. To offset expenses of this fair, we are also requesting a minimum $10 donation from parents of successful registrants.
Will you keep my information private?
Yes! We are committed to keeping your personal information private and will not share such information with any third party. The information collected is for internal purposes only.
Will children be photographed during the event?
Yes! The fair will be documented by a professional photographer and the resulting digital media will be used to market the event and share its success with the community and the world! By applying for a booth at the fair, parents are thereby agreeing to allow the Niagara Children's Business Fair permission to photograph and film their Child(ren) and use the resulting digital media at our discretion without compensation.
I want to participate but I'm not sure what to sell!
There are so many wonderful and unique ideas out there. Here are a few to get you started:
PRODUCT BUSINESSES:
Knitted hats, scarves, toys
Holiday ornaments
Hair accessories/jewelry
Bookmarks, Books, Stationary
School supplies
Board games
Woodworking - painted signs, string art
Used toy/clothing sale
ACTIVITY BUSINESSES:
Design your own buttons
Design your own t-shirt
Crafting
Carnival Games
Balloon Animals
Photo booth
I want to participate but I'm not sure what to sell!
There are so many wonderful and unique ideas out there. Here are a few to get you started:
PRODUCT BUSINESSES:
Knitted hats, scarves, toys
Holiday ornaments
Hair accessories/jewelry
Bookmarks, Books, Stationary
School supplies
Board games
Woodworking - painted signs, string art
Used toy/clothing sale
ACTIVITY BUSINESSES:
Design your own buttons
Design your own t-shirt
Crafting
Carnival Games
Balloon Animals
Photo booth
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.
RESOURCES
Business Ideas for Kids
RESOURCES
Business Ideas for Kids
From making cat toys to designing websites, check out these 101+ Business Ideas for Kids.
Guide to Writing a Business Plan
From bizKID$, this worksheet helps young entrepreneurs think about marketing (from the name of their business to who they will sell it to) and financials (including materials, pricing and profit).
Entrepreneurship Games
Coffee Shop
Name your coffee shop, buy supplies, make the perfect brew, and set the price. Can you please your customers and make a profit?
Price Point
At what price should you sell your product to customers? What is you have competitors?
Galactic Zappers
Can you assemble zappers more quickly and efficiently?
Robo Rush
Do you have what it takes to upgrade your business from door-to-door to factory floor?
Fistful of Dollars
Once you’ve mastered Galactic Zappers, play Fistful of Dollars to learn how to manage your cash and working capital.
Lemonade Standoff
Can you find the right product and the right price to win in the lemonade market?
