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 48 businesses.
What ages can apply?
Ages 6-16.
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 important dates should I mark in my calendar?
June 2 - Early bird deadline for applications ($25 app fee)
June 16 - Regular Application Deadline ($40 app fee)
June 21 - Acceptance emails go out
June 25 - In-person Kickoff Meeting at Evergreen Academy
July 12 - Fair Day!! Set up 5pm, Sell 6-8pm, Awards Ceremony at 8pm
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 in the same location that Norman Farmer's Market sets up so the location is ideally suited for this event. Depending on the number of booths that sign up, some tables may be located in the outside breezeway entry as well. Each business will be given a booth with a 6 or 8-foot table and 1-2 chairs. Tablecloths will NOT be provided.
Will electricity be available?
We are able to supply a limited number of businesses requiring electricity. Please indicate your need in the application and we will reach out to you to confirm if we are able to accommodate your request.
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.
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.
How did the Norman Acton Children's Business Fair get started?
Fair planners, Elle Shroyer and Matina Hunnell bonded over a desire to provide fun real-world growth opportunities for their children and the community. Matina is the co-founder of Evergreen Acton Academy in the Norman area. She was interested in providing an Acton Business Fair experience for her children and the children in the Norman community as an extension of the project-based learning offered at Evergreen: an Acton Academy. Elle is the VP of Development at Rose Rock Habitat for Humanity and directs the Young Innovators Market at The Well. Their hope is that the children that participate in this event will be forever inspired and changed by this experience as they are empowered to dream big and then actually test out their dream and grow through the experience.
Who do I contact if I still have questions?
You can reach out to normancbf@evergreenacton.com
