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📣 Register a child to be a vendor now through August 31st!

Tacoma Children's Business Fair

Saturday, September 7, 2024

11:00AM - 4:00PM

765 Broadway

Tacoma, WA 98402, USA

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About the fair
Join the fun as kids launch their own startups!

At our one-day marketplace, kids will create a brand, develop a product or service, craft a marketing plan, and open for business! 

Check out over 20 booths at the Tacoma Children’s Business Fair at the The Broadway Gallery on Saturday, September 7th from 12pm to 3pm. (Vendors can set up at 11am and be ready by 11:45am then clean up at 3pm right after the awards ceremony).

Sponsored by Acton Academy, the Acton School of Business, and our amazing donors and volunteers, we believe in the brilliance of the next generation of entrepreneurs and creators and want to give them the opportunity to showcase their interests and skills! 
Hosted by

Nicollette Roe

🗓️ Started hosting in 2024

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⭐️ 4.8 (23)

Hi, everyone! I’ve always dreamed of seeing an event like this in Tacoma, so I decided to create one for my kids. I never expected it to take off the way it has, but it’s been amazing to see how many other parents in the community also wanted this experience for their children.

By day, I’m the Associate Dean of High School Programs at Renton Technical College, but I’ve always been passionate about early childhood education and Montessori-style learning. I believe in fostering independence by creating opportunities for kids to learn through hands-on experiences and allowing them to immerse in their creativity without interruption. That’s the spirit I bring to this event: it’s all about the kids being the decision-makers!

This is a NO STRESS day. I encourage both adults and kids to embrace the joy of the moment, stay present, and let things unfold naturally. There’s something to learn from it all. Thank you for being a part of this entirely youth-led event, where they can turn their dreams into reality! It’s been such a joy to organize, and I look forward to working each quarter to secure sponsors and continue growing cash prizes for our young creators. They truly deserve recognition for their creativity, hard work, and the unique spirit they bring!

18 booths participating

Cashy’s cupcakes

Slimy Gooolab

And 16 others.

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 market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses.

How many businesses will you accept?

We will accept up to 30 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?

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. 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 an in door event with booths. Each business will be given a booth with a 6-foot table and 1-2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.

Will electricity be available?

Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the booths.

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

Children's Business Fair

Acton Academy

Next Great Adventure

Sound Credit Union

Central Tacoma Neighborhood Council