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We will begin accepting applications January 2026.
Mokena Children's Business Fair
Saturday, March 28, 2026
9:00AM - 11:30AM
Applications are closed
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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 40 booths at the Mokena Young Entrepreneur Fair on March 23, 2024 from 9:15 a.m. – 11:30 am.
This is an indoor event. You must supply your own table. Each vendor will have space for one 8 ft. table.
Food and Jewelry vendors may be asked to submit photos of their products. These tend to be over saturated categories. Thus we will be selective.
This is an indoor event. You must supply your own table. Each vendor will have space for one 8 ft. table.
Food and Jewelry vendors may be asked to submit photos of their products. These tend to be over saturated categories. Thus we will be selective.
This event is sponsored by the Acton School of Business, Ivy League Kids and the generous support of our donors and volunteers. If you would like to be a sponsor, please contact us.
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
Dana Rangel
🗓️ Started hosting in 2023
✅ Identity verified
🚀 Has hosted 3 fairs
We are a team of passionate entrepreneurs, teachers, mentors, and parents, who want our children to learn about entrepreneurship in a practical and fun way.
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.
How many businesses will you accept?
We will accept up to 40 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?
We will be limiting the amount of similar businesses. We may contact you with more questions if we receive several similar businesses.
How will the fair be set up?
The fair will be indoors. Each booth will receive room for an eight foot table. You are required to provide your own table.
Will electricity be available?
Please contact us if you would like electricity for your booth. We will try accommodate requests.
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.
If you child has special needs, feel free to contact us with any concerns regarding parental assistance. We strive for an all inclusive event.
If you child has special needs, feel free to contact us with any concerns regarding parental assistance. We strive for an all inclusive event.
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.
