Safe Spaces of Tampa Bay Inc Children's Business Fair SpringHill, Florida
Saturday, June 28, 2025
10:00AM - 2:00PM
Currently accepting applications 🏁
Apply to the fair
About the fair
Children develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at our one-day marketplace.
This event is sponsored by Acton Academy, and the generous support of our donors and volunteers. We all believe that principled entrepreneurs are heroes and role models for the next generation.
Whether an entrepreneur is famous like Steve Jobs or Sara Blakely 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.
Hosted by
Demetria Clemetson
🗓️ Started hosting in 2024
✅ Identity verified
🚀 Has hosted 1 fair
Demetria's passion for supporting families with children on the autism spectrum was born out of her own personal experiences as a parent. With a 17-year-old daughter and a 16-year-old son, both of whom faced challenges with communication, Demetria found herself navigating the complexities of early intervention and the importance of specialized therapies. Her daughter, although initially struggling to speak, eventually found her voice, while her son's journey required the guidance of occupational and speech therapists at All Children's, who taught him the invaluable skill of sign language.
Demetria's resilience and determination to ensure her children's success inspired her to establish Safe Spaces of Tampa Bay, Inc., a company dedicated to providing support and resources to parents seeking reassurance and guidance from someone who has walked a similar path. Her own experiences have shown her that the challenges faced by families of children with autism or a disability are not easily overcome, but with a thriving spirit and an unwavering commitment to perseverance, the path forward can be found.
The creation of Safe Spaces of Tampa Bay, Inc. reflects Demetria's desire to empower other parents, offering them a sense of community and a safe haven where they can find the support they need. By sharing her family's story and the lessons learned along the way, Demetria hopes to inspire a deeper understanding and empathy for families navigating the complexities of autism spectrum disorder or other disabilities.
Through Safe Spaces, Demetria aims to provide a compassionate and empathetic environment for parents, where they can find the resources, support, and encouragement they need to navigate the unique challenges of raising a child with special needs.
Through Safe Spaces of Tampa Bay, Inc., Demetria aims to provide a multifaceted approach to supporting families affected by autism and other disabilities.
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 children in North America, this one-day market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses.
The Acton Children’s Business Fair inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneur. The largest entrepreneurship event for children 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 36 businesses.
We will accept up to 36 businesses.
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.
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 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.
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 a tented outdoor event with booths. Each business will be given a booth with an 8-foot table (to share with one other business), full-cover tenting, and 1-2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.
The fair will be a tented outdoor event with booths. Each business will be given a booth with an 8-foot table (to share with one other business), full-cover tenting, 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.
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.
This event is designed to give children the experience of selling a product or service.
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.
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.
