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Help us create the opportunity for Carlisle PA’s youth to launch their very own startup businesses! Local kid-entrepreneur’s will develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at our one-day marketplace.
We will host multiple booths at our fall event in downtown Carlisle PA, on Saturday October 12th from 12pm to 4pm.
FAQ:
What is the Carlisle Children’s Business Fair?
Our event is part of the Acton Children’s Business Fair which 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.
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. Once an application is approved, a $15 participation fee will be required. We will also be offering a free workshop one month before the fair for participants who sign up by early Sept where they can learn from a panel of local business owners, share their own ideas, and get feedback from the panel.
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?
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.
How will the fair be set up?
The fair will be an outdoor event with booths in the rear parking lot of Create-A-Palooza. Each child’s business will be given a booth space. We are working with local Carlisle businesses to loan a 6-8-foot table and 1-2 chairs to each of our participants to use for the day. Table cloths will not be provided. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.
Will electricity be available?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the booths.
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 may sit in the booth, but the children should be responsible for set up, customer interaction, and sales.
Prizes will be awarded to the top businesses in each age category.
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.
This event is sponsored by Acton Academy, the Acton School of Business, 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 Elon Musk or Oprah Winfrey 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.
Please email [email protected] with any questions
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Create-A-Palooza Parking Lot, 11 E High St, Carlisle, PA 17013, United States
Tickets
