What is the Gainesville Children’s Business Fair?
The Gainesville Children’s Business Fair inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneur. This one-day market gives children in our local communities the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses.
How many businesses will you accept?
We will accept up to 10-15 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 a tented outdoor or a tabled indoor event. Each business must bring their own tables (preferably 6 ft or 8 ft), or tent, and 1-3 chairs. Tablecloths will not be provided.
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.
Applicants must be between the ages of 6 - 17 on or before the application deadline. A $15 participation fee will be collected from all accepted business ideas.
Inappropriate content, including but not limited to profanity, vulgarity, excessive violence, drug or alcohol use, or material considered offensive to any religious or ethnic groups, gender, or physically or mentally challenged persons is not permitted.
If selling food items: Only small, single serving, individually wrapped food items such as snack bars, crackers, cupcakes, or candy bars are permitted.
Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied and supervised at all times by an adult or guardian.
No more than 3 participants per booth/business idea.
All entries will be automatically entered in the business competition. At the end of the fair, winners will be announced for the following awards:
Most Original Business Idea
Highest Business Potential
Best Presentation/Creativity
