We decided to postpone BizFest to late summer, and the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce had been planning a one-day youth marketplace this fall. After some creative brainstorming, we’ve decided to join forces and host one larger, regional event for K–12 students in a bigger venue, offering greater visibility and broader participation.
If you’ve already registered for BizFest, we kindly ask that you register again for this combined event to help with logistics: Register Here
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BizFest 2025 CANCELLATION ANNOUNCEMENT - MAY 10, 2025
Dear Young Entrepreneurs and Families,
Firstly, thank you for your interest in the Children's Business Fair and for the time, creativity, and effort many of you have already put into your applications. We truly admire your entrepreneurial spirit.
After much thought and consideration, we have canceled this year's event due to low confirmed participation. We understand that many families are juggling school year-end schedules and prioritizing life's events, and the timing—coinciding with Father's Day weekend—may have further added to the challenge of committing to this event.
The core mission of Bizfest has always been to empower young entrepreneurs by giving them a supportive platform to launch and present their business ideas. Beyond simply showcasing their products, the event encourages participants to approach the experience with curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to learn. It is designed to offer real-world exposure that nurtures entrepreneurial thinking and builds confidence. In keeping with this mission, no participation fees were charged. Booth setups, infrastructure, and logistics were all provided at no cost to the participants. Additionally, all promotional and outreach efforts were carried out voluntarily, reflecting the community-driven and educational spirit of the event.
As we consider the possibility of rescheduling the fair for later this summer, we encourage young entrepreneurs to keep refining their ideas and exploring creative ways to market their products, whether online, through a garage sale, or other avenues.
Parents of young entrepreneurs, we hope you'll support your child in approaching this shift with resilience and adaptability. After all, being an entrepreneur also means learning to navigate setbacks and rise stronger from them.
Best Wishes!
Hosted by
Rupali Joshi
🗓️ Started hosting in 2022
✅ Identity verified
🚀
Has hosted
3 fairs
I launched this initiative to provide kids with a platform to explore entrepreneurship, build confidence, and develop essential life skills, including problem-solving, creativity, and financial literacy. Watching young entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life, engage with the community, and take pride in their work has been truly inspiring. By continuing to expand this initiative, I aim to ignite a lasting passion for entrepreneurship, equipping young minds with the tools and opportunities to dream big and bring their ideas to life.
The 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 essential elements of their business. The idea is that kids learn business basics and the economics of running a business while having some fun, creative experience.
How will the fair be set up?
Each business will be given a booth space with a table and 1-2 chairs. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity. Participants will be responsible for bringing any tablecloths, booth decorations, and signage they may need. Everything you bring must fit within the bounds of your booth area without infringing on another booth's space.
What is the role of the parent/guardian?
For a child’s first business venture, the focus should not be on them ideating the next million-dollar startup. Instead, the focus should be on them grasping the basics of entrepreneurship. Most importantly, the children should have fun and learn for themselves.
It is essential to have children think of an idea that motivates them to put forth their energy daily. Do not discourage your child from any idea you might see as unattainable. Instead, let your child understand what it will take to develop their absurd idea, as it is more powerful for a child to learn entrepreneurship through hands-on experience.
The goal is for a child to do as much as reasonably possible. Of course, a 10-year-old can't drive across town to buy supplies, but the child can figure out what they need and set a budget of how much to spend. Then, they must do the work, with the parents/ guardians supervising for safety.
Parents/ guardians are responsible for reading emails and communicating information with their children.
Food item businesses should comply with the Spokane County Food Department rules and cottage food laws: https://agr.wa.gov/departments/food-safety/food-safety/cottage-food. Parents/ guardians are requested to consider this vital requirement before applying. Factsheet for food not requiring a permit - INFO Since the students keep the profits, the food items would not qualify for the bake sale exemption. If someone wants to make snacks or other baked goods, they must be made in a commissary kitchen, and a TFE permit would be required. A one-day TFE permit is $100. TFE Application (srhd.org)
Cash transactions are allowed; however, online payment may be more convenient for most. To accept online payments via PayPal/ Venmo, a child must have a parent or guardian connect a personal or business bank account to an online payment processor. Sales tax may be applicable.
What are the BizFest rules?
Only products/services created by children will be allowed. Reselling products and promotion of other established businesses will not be allowed.
Only one parent/ guardian of younger children will be allowed to sit in the booth, but the children will solely be responsible for customer interaction and sales.
This event is designed to give children the experience of selling a product or service. If a parent/ guardian is found selling or promoting a child’s product or service, their child’s business may be disqualified from the competition (if held).
Parents or guardians may help their children complete the application, but we expect them to do as much as possible independently.
The BizFest team reserves the right to reject an application that does not meet the rules of the fair.
Our incredible sponsors
Children's Business Fair
Acton Academy
Next Great Adventure
Spokane Public Library
Enterprise Evolution, Accelerated
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a reply. Thanks for your interest!
Children's Business Fair admits hosts and participants of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to them. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its policies and programs.
