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.

We've had about 20 kid booths in the past. We don't have a limit, but it depends on the space availability. The Troy Parks Department will fill up their indoor space and then determine if there are enough additional vendors to warrant outside expansion.

Start with our resources page. Read inspiring stories about other young entrepreneurs and play games to hone your business skills.

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.

[Note from Amy: I encourage your to discuss the questions with your kids, but the questions are not required. I don't have the ability to edit the application and detailed answers aren't necessary - It is not going to be a deciding factor on participation.]
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?

Two handmade painting businesses are not a problem, since each person's artwork would be unique. In general, we will let market forces play out, though we will let later entries know if another applicant has a similar product. If the item is a direct competition, we will decide on a case by case basis.

Troy's fair is normally an indoor and outdoor fair, depends on the # of participants. We will normally be in the outdoor expanded space in the connected grassy area (near the soccer fields), but they will determine our location about 2 weeks before the fair.
A 8' table and 1 chair will be provided for each business (booth cost goes towards rental of these items). I normally do not bother with pop-up shelters, but the fair will happen rain or shine, so if rain is forecasted it might be beneficial to bring one.

It is unlikely; We will most likely be set-up outdoors and electricity isn't available in that area.

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 set up, customer interaction, and sales - 100%.

Parents may help their child fill out the application, but we expect the children to do as much as possible by themselves.

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.