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-afternoon market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses.
Eligibility?
Any child aged 6-14 (on or before the date of the fair), are invited to develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at our one-day marketplace.
How do I apply?
Application must be submitted online. Please submit one application for each business. Click the "Apply to the fair" button on the homepage.
Can I apply as part of a group?
You can apply on your own or you may partner with 2 additional friends (up to 3 young entrepreneurs per booth). 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 let later entries know if another applicant has a similar idea so the later entrant can decide what to do.
How will I know if I am accepted?
You will receive an email with your acceptance. Once you have been accepted, you will have access to resources to help you on your journey of becoming an entrepreneur!
How will the fair be set up?
The fair will be located indoors in the large gym space in the RSF Community Center. Each business will be assigned an 8-foot table and 1-2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided.
Is there a limit of how many businesses you accept?
We will accept up to 40 businesses.
Are there any fees?
There is a $25.00 booth fee for each business to secure your spot. Once accepted, payments can be made through Venmo. We do offer scholarships if someone is not able to pay the participation fee. Please email joannadubbeldam@hotmail.com to find out more.
What will be provided?
Each booth will include the use of a 6' rectangular table and 2 chairs. You are permitted to bring easels and decoration. Feel free to email if you want to inquire about bringing other bigger items.
Attention cooks and bakers.
Food will be permitted to sell. We suggest individually wrapping your treats.
Will electricity be available?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the booths.
What are the rules?
This event is designed to give children the experience of selling a product or service.
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.
ATTENTION PARENTS:
Please remember to keep this about the children. Let them imagine, create, and problem solve. Your job is to maintain enthusiasm and provide encouragement.
Keep it simple. This is a children’s fair. Let the business plan, booth, and sales reflect your child at her/his best, not your best.
Let your child do the work. Let them make mistakes and learn from them. Let her/him problem solve and come up with his own solutions. Let your child be the Chair of the Board, CEO, and owner of his/her ideas.
What should I bring?
One tablecloth to fit a 6' table, decoration, signage and everything else you need to run a successful business. Be creative.
Is there an age limit?
Applicants must be between the ages of 6 - 14 on or before the APPLICATION OPEN date.
Are there prizes?
Last year, we awarded prizes in different categories but we found that this took time and focus away from what everyone really wanted, more time for the kids to sell, sell, sell... We also found that the judging and cash prizes weren't what motivated the children. The kids can measure their success in many ways. Even just going through this process is something to celebrate.
What is Zero Waste?
"Think of Zero Waste as a goal to always being ‘Waste Conscious’. Becoming aware of the waste that we create, combined with the conscious effort to reduce it, is an empowering step to the reduction of overall waste in our communities. By moving ‘Toward Zero Waste’ together, we can decrease landfill space, our carbon footprint on the Earth, and have a positive effect on the environment and our future" (this definition is from https://towardzerowaste.org/).
We know having literally zero waste is impossible but this movement is about having this goal in mind. We are happy to provide advice and resources to our entrepreneurs.
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.
Interested in supporting the event?
If you are interested in volunteering or sponsoring the event, please email joannadubbeldam@hotmail.com
