Opportunity Knocks for MEE Children's Business Fair Pflugerville, Texas
Saturday, July 18, 2026
11:00AM - 2:00AM
Currently accepting applications 🏁
Apply to the fair
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 up to 30 booths at the 4th annual event in Pflugerville, TX 2026, from 11 am – 2 pm.
Acton Academy, Next Great Adventure, and the generous support of our donors and volunteers sponsor this event. We all believe that principled entrepreneurs are heroes and role models for the next generation.
Whether an entrepreneur is famous like Elon Musk or Oprah Winfrey or 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
Laketra Calloway
🗓️ Started hosting in 2024
✅ Identity verified
⭐️ 2.8 (8)
Frequently asked questions
What is the Acton Children’s Business Fair?
The Acton Children’s Business Fair inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneurs. 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 50 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.
How much is it to participate?
How much is it to participate?
The booth registration fee is $25 for individual children's) booths; $50 for the whole family booths.
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 the fair be set up?
The fair will be an indoor event with booths. Each business will be given a booth with an 8-foot table, and 2-3 chairs. Tablecloths and business signs will not be provided. We may be able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity but an additional fee may apply.
How will Marketing and Advertising be done?
Advertising and Marketing will be achieved by placing a print ad in a local newspaper, online newsletters, radio advertisements, print flyers to be placed throughout the community, and all social media sites. The most important thing to know is that participants should be advertising the fair and their business. Word of Mouth is the #1 advertising tool. Each person should invite a minimum of 10-20 people. If everyone does this, there will be a higher probability of success.
How will Marketing and Advertising be done?
Advertising and Marketing will be achieved by placing a print ad in a local newspaper, online newsletters, radio advertisements, print flyers to be placed throughout the community, and all social media sites. The most important thing to know is that participants should be advertising the fair and their business. Word of Mouth is the #1 advertising tool. Each person should invite a minimum of 10-20 people. If everyone does this, there will be a higher probability of success.
Will electricity be available?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to all the booths. Additional information concerning electricity will be provided at a later time.
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.
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 setting 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.
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.
