What is the Acton Children’s Business Fair?
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.
How many businesses will you accept?
We will accept 40 booths.
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.
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?
When I apply do I have to fill in all of the information?
You must fill in the product or products you are selling. You don't need to tell us how much you will charge if you don't know yet. You don't have to have the final name of your business until April 1st so you can fill in TBD.
What if someone else has the same business idea?
We will compile a list of all the business ideas and share it will everyone. After seeing how many businesses are similar to yours, you can then decide if you want to keep your business idea or change it. You can't change it to an idea that is already on the list. If we have applicants sign up at a later date, they will have to have a unique idea.
How will the fair be set up?
The fair will be held at the Harveston Lake House. Some booths will be set up inside and some will be set up outside. We will provide tables. Each business will need to provide their own table cloths and signs.
Will electricity be available?
We only have electricity available for some booths due to limited availability. Electricity requests are only if your business requires it not if it is for decoration. Your acceptance information will tell you if you were approved for electricity. You must supply extension cords.
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.
Parents of younger children(8 and below) 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.
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.
