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Signs up are now closed! Vendors will be contacted about acceptance the week of April 13th
Tacoma Children's Business Fair
Saturday, May 3, 2025
12:00PM - 3:00PM
Applications are closed
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About the fair
Join the fun as kids launch their own startups!
At our one-day marketplace, young people will create a brand, develop a product or service, craft a marketing plan, and open for business!
Come support the youth entrepreneurs at the Tacoma Children’s Business Fair at the Waterfront Market At Ruston on May 3rd from 12pm to 3pm.
Hosted by
Nicollette Roe
🗓️ Started hosting in 2024
✅ Identity verified
⭐️ 4.8 (23)
Hi, everyone! I’ve always dreamed of seeing an event like this in Tacoma, so I decided to create one for my kids. I never expected it to take off the way it has, but it’s been amazing to see how many other parents in the community also wanted this experience for their children.
By day, I’m the Associate Dean of High School Programs at Renton Technical College, but I’ve always been passionate about early childhood education and Montessori-style learning. I believe in fostering independence by creating opportunities for kids to learn through hands-on experiences and allowing them to immerse in their creativity without interruption. That’s the spirit I bring to this event: it’s all about the kids being the decision-makers!
This is a NO STRESS day. I encourage both adults and kids to embrace the joy of the moment, stay present, and let things unfold naturally. There’s something to learn from it all. Thank you for being a part of this entirely youth-led event, where they can turn their dreams into reality! It’s been such a joy to organize, and I look forward to working each quarter to secure sponsors and continue growing cash prizes for our young creators. They truly deserve recognition for their creativity, hard work, and the unique spirit they bring!
53 booths participating
Gina’s Trinkets
our heART
And 51 others.
Frequently asked questions
What is the eligible ages for the Tacoma Children’s Business Fair?
5-17 years old.
How many businesses will you accept?
We will accept up to 50 businesses.
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. We highly suggest not having more than 3 participants per business to be eligible for cash prizes in the various business categories.
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?
I will do my best to accept different and varying business products and services as to create a market with lots of different ideas and to limit competition; however, if there are multiple vendors with similar products or services I will let you know so the later entrant can decide what to do.
How will the fair be set up?
The fair will be an indoor event with their own booths side by side throughout the event space. Each business will need to bring their own 6-foot table and a chair. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity as there are not enough outlets to accommodate every business if they needed them.
Will electricity be available?
Unfortunately, I am not able to provide electricity to the booths.
What are the rules?
This event is designed to give children and young people the experience of selling a product or service. If a parent or adult is found selling or promoting a child’s product or service, they will not be eligible to compete for a cash prize in the different business categories as I don't want adults competing against young children. Thank you for your understanding around this!
Parents/adults may sit in the booth if there is room, or especially if you have a child needing the extra support for whatever reason, but other than that I encourage parents to take a step back on this day so the young people can be responsible for customer interaction and sales. You might be surprised at how well they do independently! I know I was when watching my 4-year old and 10-year old my first fair since they typically are pretty introverted. It was so awesome seeing them get a boost of confidence and pride in themselves from the experience.
Parents may help their child fill out the application, but we expect the children/young people to do as much as possible by themselves!
