What is the Midlothian Children’s Business Fair?
The Midlothian Children’s Business Fair inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneur. This one-day market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses.
What ages are eligible to participate?
Children ages 5-16 can participate.
How many businesses will you accept?
We will accept up to 50 businesses.
How do I apply? Can I apply as part of a group?
Please submit one application for each business online. Children working as a group should submit one application that includes each child’s information. Please, 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 an indoor event inside the old Dress Barn location next to OfficeMax and adjacent to Target in the Westchester Commons Shopping Plaza. Each business will be allocated a 10'x10' space with a 6 ft table and 1-2 chairs. We encourage each business to decorate their table/space and bring extra chairs, as needed.
What are the Guidelines?
This event is designed to give children the experience of selling a product or service. We strongly urge parents to take as much of a hands-off approach as is reasonably possible. 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.
Will my child receive any guidance?
Yes. We will provide resources to help your entrepreneur get started and work through business decisions like input costs, pricing, marketing, etc.
