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.
Is there a cost to participate?
Yes, we have a $5 registration fee. Must be paid within 2 weeks of being accepted. We have a limited number of spaces for this Children's Business Fair, so the $5 registration fee serves as an earnest fee to make sure our young entrepreneurs are committed to the event. Entrepreneurs will need to bring their own table, tent and chairs. They will be given approximately a 12 x 12 area for their booth. If registration fee is not paid on time your spot will be given to another entrepreneur.
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?
Two cupcake businesses? Not a problem. In general, we will let market forces play out, though we will try to let later entries know if another applicant has a similar idea so the later entrant can decide what to do. We always get multiple booths selling jewelry and bracelets. Know there will be competing booths and try to make yours unique and stand out.
How will the fair be set up?
The fair will be a tented outdoor event with booths. Each business will be given a booth size of at least 12 x 12. Entrepreneurs will need to provide their own tent, table and chairs. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.
Where should I park at Pop Stansell Park?
Parking spots are available around the park and fill up quickly. Once you unload and set up your booth, try and move your car farther away and maybe down towards the baseball fields. We do not want customer to drive by and not stop because there is nowhere to park.
Will electricity be available?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the booths.
Advertising?
We need everyone’s help. We will be advertising on Facebook, other social media and yard signs. We need all entrepreneurs to invite their friends and family to shop and support the fair. Please tag our Facebook event page and make it a great fair for everyone!
What are the rules?
This event is designed to give children under the age of 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 can we find out when the next Acton Children’s Business Fair Palm Harbor will happen?
Follow us on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ActonAcademyPH to see when our Acton Children's Business Fair occur.
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.
