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 90 businesses.
Where should I begin?
Think of something that you can create and practice making it an excellent product that people will want to pay money for. It can be art to hang on a wall or delicious baked goods or greeting cards or ornaments or anything else you can dream up.
Once you have your idea, raise some money for your startup costs (bank of parents?) and register with us to open a booth at our fair. (Application deadline is March 30.)
Get your friends involved! It is always more fun working as a group! (Maximum 3 children per booth).
Is there a competition?
Yes. There will also be a contest for our young entrepreneurs for the best business idea in the following age groups: (tentative)
- Ages 5 - 9
- Ages 10 - 12
- Ages 13 - 16
Booths will be judged on the following categories:
- Highest Business Potential
- Most Original Idea
- Most Impressive Presentation
There will be prizes for each age group and category.
Can children participate as a team?
Yes. Up to 3 participants per business.
For the purpose of the competition, the age of the oldest child will be considered while slotting them in an age group.
Are there any charges to get a booth?
Yes. Once your application is submitted, there is a one time participation fee of $15 per booth.
Can I submit more than one business application?
Yes! Go for it.
If more than one of your applications is accepted, you can choose which one you would like to go ahead with.
You cannot have more than one booth at the fair (for obvious reasons!)
How do I apply? Can I apply as part of a group?
Application must be submitted online by March 30. 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. Spaces are limited, so sign up soon!
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 may 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. Each business will be given an 8 foot picnic table. Table cloths will not be provided.
Will electricity be available?
Electricity will NOT be available.
How involved can parents be?
This event is designed to give children the experience of selling a product or service. Parents may help their child fill out the application, but we expect the children to do the work of planning, designing, creating, and marketing their product by themselves.
Parents of younger children may sit in the booth, but the children should be responsible for set up, customer interaction, and sales.
If a parent is found selling or promoting a child’s product or service, their child’s business will be disqualified from the competition.
What is Threefold Schoolhouse: An Acton Academy?Threefold Schoolhouse is a mixed-age, learner-driven environment for elementary ages 4-14.
At Threefold Schoolhouse, entrepreneurship forms a big part of our curriculum, and we wanted to bring the opportunity to be an entrepreneur to the community with the Acton Children's Business Fair.
If you would like to find out more about the school, visit our website at:
www.threefoldschoolhouse.org
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.
