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We can't wait to see you there!
St. Charles Children's Business Fair
Saturday, August 22, 2020
10:00AM - 12:00PM
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About the fair
COULD A TEN-YEAR-OLD INVENT THE NEXT ÜBER?
Find out at the St. Charles, MO Children’s Business Fair, showcasing kids’ entrepreneurial genius!
Take part in this exciting opportunity for children to launch their very own startup/pop-up business, just in time for the holidays!
Kids will create a product or service, develop a brand, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at this unique one-day marketplace. The children are responsible for the setup, sales, and interacting with customers.
We 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.
Award Certificates will be presented for “Most Business Potential,” “Most Creative Idea,” and “Most Impressive Presentation.”
We 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.
Award Certificates will be presented for “Most Business Potential,” “Most Creative Idea,” and “Most Impressive Presentation.”
Our 2nd CBF event will take place on Saturday, June 13 from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
This event is sponsored by Lighthouse International Academy, Acton Academy, and the Acton School of Business.
Hosted by
Eliza Rivas
🗓️ Started hosting in 2019
✅ Identity verified
🚀 Has hosted 7 fairs
Eliza Rivas – Host, St. Charles Acton Children's Business Fair
Eliza is the founder of Lighthouse International, the first Acton Academy in Missouri, and has been empowering young entrepreneurs through the St. Charles Acton Children’s Business Fair for six years. She believes that every child is a hero in the making and is passionate about connecting young minds with real-world opportunities to foster independence, creativity, and leadership.
With over 25 years of experience in education, Eliza has dedicated her career to helping young people develop into global citizens who will one day better their communities and the world.
Her diverse background includes roles as a college admission counselor, an adjunct university professor, a high school Spanish teacher, and an elementary school English Language Assistant in Madrid, Spain. Throughout her career, she has received multiple awards and grants and has served as a mentor to educators nationwide.
Eliza is excited to continue championing young entrepreneurs through the 6th Annual St. Charles Acton Children’s Business Fair, where she looks forward to seeing the next generation of business leaders in action!
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 kid entrepreneurs at our inaugural fair.
Where should I begin?
Check out the links below. Read inspiring stories about other young entrepreneurs, research business ideas, and play games to hone your business skills.
https://www.kebloom.com/blog/10%20Inspiring%20Kid%20Entrepreneurs
https://www.fundera.com/blog/kid-entrepreneurs
https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5051-young-entrepreneurs.html
https://www.businessinsider.com/successful-child-entrepreneurs-2019-2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YGUfWA-Xco
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YCGM7FiCGg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XDI0nIZA68
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XKXe41X-Pc
Business Ideas
101+ Business Ideas for Kids
https://www.pinterest.com/childrensbusinessfair/
How to write a business plan
http://bizkids.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/Kids-Business-Plan.pdf
Entrepreneurship Games
Coffee Shop Game - Play Game
Price Point Game - Play Game
Galactic Zappers Game - Play Game
Robo Rush Game - Play Game
Fistful of Dollars Game - Play Game
Lemonade Stand-Off Game - Play Game
https://www.kebloom.com/blog/10%20Inspiring%20Kid%20Entrepreneurs
https://www.fundera.com/blog/kid-entrepreneurs
https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5051-young-entrepreneurs.html
https://www.businessinsider.com/successful-child-entrepreneurs-2019-2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YGUfWA-Xco
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YCGM7FiCGg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XDI0nIZA68
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XKXe41X-Pc
Business Ideas
101+ Business Ideas for Kids
https://www.pinterest.com/childrensbusinessfair/
How to write a business plan
http://bizkids.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/Kids-Business-Plan.pdf
Entrepreneurship Games
Coffee Shop Game - Play Game
Price Point Game - Play Game
Galactic Zappers Game - Play Game
Robo Rush Game - Play Game
Fistful of Dollars Game - Play Game
Lemonade Stand-Off Game - Play Game
How do I apply? Can I apply as part of a group?
Applications 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?
TBA
Will electricity be available?
TBA
What are the rules?
This event is designed to give children the experience of selling a product or service. To maximize the positive effects of such an experience, we highly encourage children to create their own products/services to sell at the fair.
Parents of younger children may sit in the booth, but the children should be responsible for set up, customer interaction, and sales. 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. 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 may help their child write their answers on the application, but we expect the children to do as much as possible by themselves.
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.
