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WE HAVE CLOSED APPLICATIONS FOR NEW BUSINESSES - SEE YOU ON MAY 23!
Children's Business Fair Willemstad, Curacao
Saturday, May 23, 2026
9:30AM - 12:00PM
This fair has ended
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About the fair
Observe the opportunity for children to launch their very own business!
Children develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at our one-day marketplace.
This event is sponsored by Acton Academy, and the generous support of our donors and volunteers. We all believe that principled entrepreneurs are heroes and role models for the next generation.
Whether an entrepreneur is famous like Steve Jobs or Sara Blakely or they are one of the thousands of unsung business owners across this country, these are the people who make sacrifices to innovate, create jobs and serve their communities.
Hosted by
Tracey Howard
🗓️ Started hosting in 2025
✅ Identity verified
⭐️ 4.5 (6)
31 booths participating
Inari
Bambu Prints
And 29 others.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Acton Children's Business Fair?
The Acton Children's Business Fair is a global entrepreneurship event that inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneur. This one-day market gives children the opportunity to open and showcase their very own businesses.
Who is this for?
Any young person in Curaçao ages 8-14 who are interested in having a business are invited to participate.
When is the date, time and location?
The Acton Children's Business Fair in Curacao will be located at Kura Hulanda Village and held on Saturday May 23, 2026 from 9:30am-12:00pm.
The Acton Children's Business Fair is a global entrepreneurship event that inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneur. This one-day market gives children the opportunity to open and showcase their very own businesses.
Who is this for?
Any young person in Curaçao ages 8-14 who are interested in having a business are invited to participate.
When is the date, time and location?
The Acton Children's Business Fair in Curacao will be located at Kura Hulanda Village and held on Saturday May 23, 2026 from 9:30am-12:00pm.
How many businesses will you accept?
We will accept up to 25 businesses.
We will accept up to 25 businesses.
How do I apply? Can I apply as part of a group?
Applications must be submitted online by May 15, 2026. 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.
Is there a participation fee?
Businesses who are accepted will pay a one-time participation fee of 20 XCG (1 meter stall) and 40 xcg (2 meter stall).
Applications must be submitted online by May 15, 2026. 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.
Is there a participation fee?
Businesses who are accepted will pay a one-time participation fee of 20 XCG (1 meter stall) and 40 xcg (2 meter stall).
What if someone else has the same business idea?
Two jewelry businesses? Not a problem. In general, we will let market forces play out, however we will limit similar businesses to 4 maximum. ie 4 jewelry businesses, based on the strength of the application.
Can I resell items?
No, you cannot resell items such as used clothes, books, old toys, etc. Children must physically build, create and/or make important changes to the products they're selling.
Two jewelry businesses? Not a problem. In general, we will let market forces play out, however we will limit similar businesses to 4 maximum. ie 4 jewelry businesses, based on the strength of the application.
Can I resell items?
No, you cannot resell items such as used clothes, books, old toys, etc. Children must physically build, create and/or make important changes to the products they're selling.
How will the fair be set up?
The fair will be a tented outdoor event with booths. Each business will be given a booth space of either 1 meter or 2 meters, full-cover tenting, and 1-2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided.
The fair will be a tented outdoor event with booths. Each business will be given a booth space of either 1 meter or 2 meters, full-cover tenting, and 1-2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided.
Will electricity be available?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the booths.
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the booths.
What is the role of parents?
Your role is an important one: to give them your time and energy before the fair, to coach them (not tell them answers or instructions) on what they may need to think about for their business, help them source materials, and of course, encourage and cheer them on!
We ask parents to not help their child create or make their products, design the table or posters, or interfere with the creative process. The process of making the products, thinking of what to sell it for (with helpful questions from parents), designing the business poster, learning how to do basic math and give change, are all learning moments we want to stay with the child.
Equally, experiences such as realizing they didn't make enough products, nervousness talking to customers, or struggling on how to give change, are also learning moments. Thank you parents for stepping back, yet providing gentle guidance and coaching where needed.
Your role is an important one: to give them your time and energy before the fair, to coach them (not tell them answers or instructions) on what they may need to think about for their business, help them source materials, and of course, encourage and cheer them on!
We ask parents to not help their child create or make their products, design the table or posters, or interfere with the creative process. The process of making the products, thinking of what to sell it for (with helpful questions from parents), designing the business poster, learning how to do basic math and give change, are all learning moments we want to stay with the child.
Equally, experiences such as realizing they didn't make enough products, nervousness talking to customers, or struggling on how to give change, are also learning moments. Thank you parents for stepping back, yet providing gentle guidance and coaching where needed.
During the Fair, 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. This is their moment.
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.
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.
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