Acton Children's Business Fair Detroit, MI
Saturday, October 15, 2016
10:00AM - 1:00PM
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About the fair
Observe the opportunity for children to launch their very own startup business!
Kids develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at our one-day marketplace.
We will host up to 50 booths at this inaugural event at the Millender Center (Detroit Marriott Atrium and Ballroom) on Saturday, October 15, 2016 from 10 am – 1:00 pm.
The deadline to apply is Friday, October 7, 2016.
The deadline to apply is Friday, October 7, 2016.
This event is brought to you jointly by Junior Achievement of SE Michigan and the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, along with the generous support of our sponsors and volunteers. We all believe that principled entrepreneurs are heroes and role models for the next generation.
Whether an entrepreneur is famous like Elon Musk 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
🗓️ Started hosting in 2016
🚀 Has hosted 1 fair
Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan (JASEM) provides critical educational programs to students in Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Saint Clair, Shiawassee, Washtenaw and Wayne counties. Chartered in 1949, JA has linked students, volunteers and supporters for over 60 years touching the lives of more than 1.5 million young people. JASEM is based in Detroit and reaches K-12 students with proven, quality educational programs that provide an understanding of financial concepts, a vision of economic opportunity, and a reason to stay in school. Inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy, JASEM programs are critical to students in the most under-served communities.
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy is a nonpartisan research and educational institute dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Michigan citizens by promoting sound solutions to state and local policy questions. The Mackinac Center assists policy makers, scholars, business people, the media and the public by providing objective analysis of Michigan issues. The goal of all Center reports, commentaries and educational programs is to equip Michigan citizens and other decision makers to better evaluate policy options.
Committed to its independence, the Mackinac Center for Public Policy neither seeks nor accepts any government funding. It enjoys the support of foundations, individuals, and businesses who share a concern for Michigan's future and recognize the important role of sound ideas.
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy is a nonpartisan research and educational institute dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Michigan citizens by promoting sound solutions to state and local policy questions. The Mackinac Center assists policy makers, scholars, business people, the media and the public by providing objective analysis of Michigan issues. The goal of all Center reports, commentaries and educational programs is to equip Michigan citizens and other decision makers to better evaluate policy options.
Committed to its independence, the Mackinac Center for Public Policy neither seeks nor accepts any government funding. It enjoys the support of foundations, individuals, and businesses who share a concern for Michigan's future and recognize the important role of sound ideas.
11 booths participating
The name of the business is Jet Fast.
The business is Stress Reliever.
And 9 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.
Who can apply?
Children ages 6-14.
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.
When is the application deadline?
The deadline to apply is Friday, October 7, 2016.
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 of the same 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 indoor event with "booth" space. Each business will be given a booth with a 6-foot table and 1-2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided. We have very limited access to electricity.
Will electricity be available?
Limited availability.
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.
