📣 Celebrate Small Business Saturday in a BIG way this year!
Hosted by

Kristen Hicks

🗓️ Started hosting in 2023

Identity verified

🚀 Has hosted 1 fair

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As a dedicated entrepreneur, advocate for children's mental health, and a devoted parent, Kristen Hicks is a driving force behind the 1st Annual Children's Business Fair in Buncombe County, NC. With a passion for nurturing young minds and fostering a spirit of creativity, Kristen believes that empowering children through entrepreneurship is a powerful tool for personal growth and community development.

As experienced business owners, Kristen and her husband Evan have collectively managed and operated four successful ventures, gaining invaluable insights into the world of entrepreneurship. Their entrepreneurial journey has taught them the importance of perseverance, innovation, and collaboration – values they are keen to pass on to the next generation.

With four children of their own, they understand the significance of providing young minds with constructive projects to work on and goals to strive for. They firmly believe that encouraging children to pursue their passions, whether in business or any other creative endeavor, can have a profound positive impact on their mental well-being, self-esteem, and overall personal development.

The Children's Business Fair is a one-day event that owes its success to the generous support of sponsors, volunteers, and community members. Kristen and Evan extend their heartfelt gratitude to these dedicated individuals and organizations who make this event possible for the young entrepreneurs of Buncombe County.

Thank you to our Sponsors – Your belief in the potential of our young entrepreneurs has made this event a reality. Your support not only fosters a spirit of entrepreneurship but also contributes to the growth and prosperity of our community.

Thank you to our Volunteers – Your time, effort, and commitment have been invaluable in organizing a seamless and inspiring event for these young business owners. Your dedication to empowering the next generation sets an exemplary standard for all.

Thank you to our Community Members – Your enthusiasm and encouragement have been the backbone of this initiative. Your presence at the Children's Business Fair uplifts and motivates the young participants, showing them that their community stands firmly behind their dreams.

Together, Kristen, Evan, and the entire community of Buncombe County are making a lasting impact by inspiring young individuals to dream big and nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit that will shape a brighter future for everyone involved.


51 booths participating

The Bees Knees

Potholders by Leah

And 49 others.

📣 Celebrate Small Business Saturday in a BIG way this year!

Buncombe County Children's Business Fair

Saturday, November 25, 2023

1:00PM - 4:00PM

Covenant Community Church

11 Rocket Dr #100, Asheville, NC 28803, USA

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About the fair
We believe the best time to start a business is anytime.  An even better time to start a business is when you're YOUNG! 

Kids develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at our one-day children’s business fair. 

We know Kidpreneurs are amazing people. They may be young but they are creative, visionary, talented, and very courageous!  

We will host up to 50 booths at our 1st annual event on Saturday, Nov. 25th (Small Business Saturday) from 1:00 pm - 4:00 PM. It will be held at Covenant Community Church located at 11 Rocket Dr #100, Asheville, NC 28803 which is on the campus of A.C Reynolds High School.

Booths are open to ages 7 - 17 and all products must be self-created (no re-sale of manufactured products).

Win cash prizes:
  • Best Booth Presentation $75
  • Most original product $75
  • Customer Interaction $75
  • Best Overall $100

The registration cost is a low $25.00 per booth thanks to the support of our sponsors. Each booth includes a 6 ft table and 2 chairs. 

This event is sponsored by Acton Academy and the generous support of our local donors and volunteers.  We all believe that principled entrepreneurs are heroes and role models for the next generation. If you are looking to mentor, sponsor or volunteer please click here

Whether or not kids continue their journey toward becoming a business owner as an adult is not essential.  Kids who stretch out of their comfort zones will develop resilience, self-reliance, perseverance, and valuable skills to accomplish even bigger goals.


Hosted by

Kristen Hicks

🗓️ Started hosting in 2023

Identity verified

🚀 Has hosted 1 fair

mypic.jpg 159.05 KB



As a dedicated entrepreneur, advocate for children's mental health, and a devoted parent, Kristen Hicks is a driving force behind the 1st Annual Children's Business Fair in Buncombe County, NC. With a passion for nurturing young minds and fostering a spirit of creativity, Kristen believes that empowering children through entrepreneurship is a powerful tool for personal growth and community development.

As experienced business owners, Kristen and her husband Evan have collectively managed and operated four successful ventures, gaining invaluable insights into the world of entrepreneurship. Their entrepreneurial journey has taught them the importance of perseverance, innovation, and collaboration – values they are keen to pass on to the next generation.

With four children of their own, they understand the significance of providing young minds with constructive projects to work on and goals to strive for. They firmly believe that encouraging children to pursue their passions, whether in business or any other creative endeavor, can have a profound positive impact on their mental well-being, self-esteem, and overall personal development.

The Children's Business Fair is a one-day event that owes its success to the generous support of sponsors, volunteers, and community members. Kristen and Evan extend their heartfelt gratitude to these dedicated individuals and organizations who make this event possible for the young entrepreneurs of Buncombe County.

Thank you to our Sponsors – Your belief in the potential of our young entrepreneurs has made this event a reality. Your support not only fosters a spirit of entrepreneurship but also contributes to the growth and prosperity of our community.

Thank you to our Volunteers – Your time, effort, and commitment have been invaluable in organizing a seamless and inspiring event for these young business owners. Your dedication to empowering the next generation sets an exemplary standard for all.

Thank you to our Community Members – Your enthusiasm and encouragement have been the backbone of this initiative. Your presence at the Children's Business Fair uplifts and motivates the young participants, showing them that their community stands firmly behind their dreams.

Together, Kristen, Evan, and the entire community of Buncombe County are making a lasting impact by inspiring young individuals to dream big and nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit that will shape a brighter future for everyone involved.


51 booths participating

The Bees Knees

Potholders by Leah

And 49 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 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?

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 in doors to prevent weather delays. Each business will be given a booth with an 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.

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

Children's Business Fair

Acton Academy

Next Great Adventure

Copy and Post

Covenant Community Church

Pine View Buildings of Swannanoa

Weichert REALTORS Unlimited

Sun Soo Asheville

Asheville Print Shop