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.

Even if a child does not currently have a business, they can use their already great talents to build a business and be a part of this fun event.

To see photos of past years fair go to:  https://www.facebook.com/StratfordsChildrensBusinessFair

Watch the short and exciting video from a previous Acton Children's Business Fair on the home page. This video will provide an idea of some the creative businesses children have introduced to the fairs. It will also show how fun and rewarding the fair is for all children.

Please read please read 3 Magic Seeds by Jeff Sandefer.
https://www.childrensbusinessfair.org/3_magic_seeds.pdf

Applications 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.

The application asks kids to think through some simple, but important elements of their business:

We ask these questions to help the children with the understanding that these are real life elements of opening and running a business.

Yes. $20.00
 
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.

Each business will be given a 12'x12' space (due to ever changing Covid-19 requirements, mandated by the State of Connecticut, booth distances may change). 

Each business is responsible for their own supplies (table, chairs, and table covering. Tents are optional). 

Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the booths.

This event is designed to give children, ages 6 - 16 years old, 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.

Please submit one application for each business. (Children working as a group may
submit one application with all children’s info.)

There will be no competition or awards ceremony this year.

There will be NO soliciting personal/individual business sponsors for your child's product.

Vendors providing food that requires refrigeration are required to apply for a "Temporary Food Permit" from the Town of Stratford’s Health Department, at least 10 days before the event. You can find the permit application by going to:

https://www.stratfordct.gov/content/39832/39846/39915/55258.aspx

or

The Stratford Health Department requires a fee for the Temporary Food Permit that is paid to the Health Department. The Health Department’s permits and fees are separate from the Children’s Business Fair application and fee. The Children’s Business Fair does not oversee the Health Department’s application or fee process. The Children’s Business Fair must comply with the Health Departments requirement to only allow those food vendors required to have the permit take part in the fair.

If you are a food vendor and you are unsure whether you are required to obtain a Temporary Food Permit, please call the Stratford Health Department at (203) 385-4090 or go to

Town of Stratford Health Department's Website:

https://www.stratfordct.gov/content/39832/39846/39915/55258.aspx

or

Town of Stratford Health Department's Temporary Food Resource Guide:

What forms of payment can vendor accept?
Vendors are allowed to accept any form of payment during the fair. Some vendors use mobile apps including; Square, Venmo, Cash App.
Cash is always golden. So, if you are accepting cash, remember to bring change so you can provide change to your customers.

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.

Stratford, CT's Children's Business Fair follows the design and creation of the Sandefer family. Stratford's fair is a loving team effort of the Royster, Rock & Rowland family of Stratford along with the Lawson-Harris family of CT.