In preparation for hosting our own business fair, we traveled to West Salem, WI this weekend to check out the 1st annual Children’s Business Fair hosted by Acton Academy Midwest. One word: WOW!
For those unfamiliar with the Acton Children’s Business Fair, it’s an opportunity for children to launch their very own startup business. Kids develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at the host’s one-day marketplace.
One of the really cool things about this event is that the kids really do the work. If a parent is found selling or promoting a child’s product or service, their child’s business will be disqualified from the competition. Awesome, right? Of course, parents of younger children may sit in the booth, but the children should be responsible for set up, customer interaction, and sales.
And wow, do the children rise to the occasion.
There were 24 booths at the Acton Midwest fair. Children ages 6 – 12 created and sold products and services like lawnmowing, web development, manicures, hair braiding, jokes and magic tricks, bird feeders, cupcakes, beautifully packaged cookies, eggrolls, house plants, bookmarks, tote bags, slime, upcycled shoes, jewelry…..the list goes on. Can you tell this necklace is made from a fork?
A group of local entrepreneurs and businesspeople served as judges and awarded prizes for most original business, best presentation, and greatest business potential. Most importantly though, the children gained feedback during the three-hour fair from the marketplace.
Success, failure, all are winners for going for it!
Seeing the business fair firsthand this weekend was a powerful reminder as to why we are starting Acton Academy Madison West. The growth mindset, resilience, teamwork, creativity and courage we saw on display this weekend was inspiring. I can’t wait to see what young heroes of Madison can do!
