What is the Acton Children’s Business Fair?
The Roseville Children's Business Fair follows the model of other similar fairs across the country. It is based on the Acton Children’s Business Fair which inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneur. Their fair is the largest entrepreneurship event for kids in North America, and gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses.
How many businesses will you accept?
We will accept up to 50 businesses.
Where should I begin?
Checkout the Resources page on the Acton Children's Business Fair page where you can read inspiring stories about other young entrepreneurs and play games to hone your business skills. Find it at: https://www.childrensbusinessfair.org/resources
How do I apply? Can I apply as part of a group?
Application must be submitted online. Please submit one application for each business. Each application will be provided with one 6' x 3' table at the fair. Children working as a group should submit one application that includes each child’s information. Due to space limitations, there can be 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?
- Your space at the fair is not guaranteed until you receive a confirmation email. We will try to be prompt but if you do not receive it in 3 days, please contact Kathy Ramundt at kramundt@hotmail.com.
What if someone else has the same business idea?
Two slime 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 in the cafeteria of the Roseville Area Middle School. Each business will be given a 3' x 6' table with up to 2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided.
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. Registration is open to children who will be between the ages of 6 and 16 as of the fair date of August 4, 2018.
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 a parent is found selling or promoting a child’s product or service, their child’s business will be disqualified from the competition.
Businesses selling food - for this fair only - will be allowed based on an exemption authorized by the Minnesota Department of Health. All food businesses must display a sign from the MDH (which will be provided) which states the foods have not been inspected.
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.
