Youth Business Fair Marion, Illinois
Saturday, November 18, 2023
10:00AM - 2:00PM
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About the fair
The Youth Business Fair is the perfect opportunity for children to launch their very own business!
Kids, up to 18 years of age, develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at our one-day marketplace.
The Youth Business fair will be held in conjuction with the Holiday Extravaganza at the Williamson County Pavilion on Saturday, November 18th from 10am- 4pm. A booth fee of $10 is required to reserve your spot. Checks should be made to Marion FFA and delivered or mailed to Marion High School, 1700 Wildcat Rd, Marion, IL 62959. Fees can also be paid online here.
Fees will be used for booth awards and prizes!
Fees will be used for booth awards and prizes!
This event is sponsored by the Marion FFA with the help of the Acton Academy, the Acton School of Business, 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 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!
Hosted by
Heather Pulley
🗓️ Started hosting in 2023
✅ Identity verified
🚀 Has hosted 1 fair
The Marion FFA is excited to help children learn about entrepreneurship in a practical and fun way!
7 booths participating
Jillybean's Bracelet
Sydney’s Designs
And 5 others.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Acton Children’s Business Fair?
The Youth 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.
What ages are allowed to participate?
Children ages 4-18 are welcome to participate!
The Youth 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.
What ages are allowed to participate?
Children ages 4-18 are welcome to participate!
How many businesses will you accept?
We will accept up to 36 businesses.
Is there a fee to participate?
There is a $10 fee to reserve your booth space. Checks should be made to Marion FFA and delivered or mailed to Marion High School, 1700 Wildcat Rd, Marion, IL 62959. Fees can also be paid online here. Fees will be used for booth awards and prizes!
We will accept up to 36 businesses.
Is there a fee to participate?
There is a $10 fee to reserve your booth space. Checks should be made to Marion FFA and delivered or mailed to Marion High School, 1700 Wildcat Rd, Marion, IL 62959. Fees can also be paid online here. Fees will be used for booth awards and prizes!
Where should I begin?
Start with our resources page. Read inspiring stories about other young entrepreneurs and play games to hone your business skills.
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. A $10 fee is required to reserve your booth. Checks should be made to Marion FFA and delivered or mailed to Marion High School, 1700 Wildcat Rd, Marion, IL 62959.
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. A $10 fee is required to reserve your booth. Checks should be made to Marion FFA and delivered or mailed to Marion High School, 1700 Wildcat Rd, Marion, IL 62959.
What is on the application?
The application asks kids to think through some simple, but important elements of their business:
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.
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 an outdoor event, weather permitting. If needed, we have the option to set up in the high school cafeteria. Each business will be given a booth with an 6-8 foot table and 1-2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.
The fair will be an outdoor event, weather permitting. If needed, we have the option to set up in the high school cafeteria. Each business will be given a booth with an 6-8 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?
Please reach out of electricity is needed.
Please reach out of electricity is needed.
What are the rules?
This event is designed to give children up to age 18 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.
This event is designed to give children up to age 18 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.
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.
