FAQs and Guidelines

Saturday, October 20, 2018
Gulf Coast High School
7878 Shark Way, Naples, FL 34119
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
What is the Children’s Business Fair?
The Children’s Business Fair is the largest entrepreneurship event for kids in North America.  This one-day Business Fair is a culmination of ideas and hard work from great young minds. Kids develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at our one-day marketplace. Experience young minds marketing, selling, counting money and feeling accomplished! 

What is the process?
Young entrepreneurs first make an important decision: they hire themselves! They then bring their parents or guardians to attend an Orientation Event to learn more. At orientation, students learn about the simple application process and all other event details. Next, they'll apply, and then begin to launch their product or service. The children plan their business at every level: product, service, marketing, accounting, cost of goods, pricing, profit, etc. Through this process, children learn a sense of wonder, the importance of hard work, taking responsibility, and gaining confidence in the next challenge.

General Information
  • Applicants must be between the ages of 6 - 17 on or before the DATE OF THE EVENT. 
  • Each booth consists of one (1) 6-foot table and 2 chairs.  Tents are permitted but not provided.  Extra chairs, tables, signage, are permitted, however we ask that you please be considerate of your space and do not impose on your neighbor.
  • No more than 4 participants per booth/business.  Wrist bands for identification of vendors will be provided at registration.  (please provide names/info on application)
  • Vendor entry fee is $15 per business which will be paid at the time of registration. This is to reserve the entrepreneur’s spot at the fair and hold them accountable to attend, as spots are limited.  If there is a hardship circumstance, please inquire within at 239-403-2909 for possible assistance.  Registration closes September 1st.  Refunds will not be issued for cancellations after October 12, 2018.
  • Please note that you may help your child fill out the application, depending on their age, please promote that they complete as much as possible on their own.
  • We will attempt limit the number of businesses in specific categories, so you will have the most profitable experience possible.  This will be determined on a first come, first serve basis. 
  • All entries will be automatically entered in the business competitions:
    • Booths will be voted on by fellow entrepreneurs and attendees in 3 contests: Most Original Business Idea, Highest Business Potential, and Most Creative Presentation.
    • Booths will also be judged by the “Judges Panel” for First, Second and Third Place overall awards within each the FIVE age categories: Ages 6-7, 8-10, 11-12, 13-14 and 15-17. Awards will be presented at the end of the fair approximately 1:45 p.m. 
  • Electricity is extremely limited. If power is necessary, please request in advance.  First come first serve. No generators are permitted. 
  • No animals are permitted.  No open flames are permitted.
  • Parents of younger children may sit in their booth, but the children are to be responsible for the setup, sales and interacting with the customers.
  • This event is designed to give children a taste of selling a product.  Please let them have that experience.  
  • Any parent seen selling to the customer or promoting the child’s product will result in disqualification from the competition. 

Setup & Teardown
  • Set up will begin at 7:30a.m. and must be complete by 9:30a.m. NO vendor will be permitted to participate if they show up after 9:30a.m (being on time is part of good business). Please be considerate of the other vendors as well when you are dropping off/loading in.
  • Do not begin to teardown your booth until 2:00p.m.  The fair is open to the public and will run until 2:00p.m. 
  • Awards will begin around 1:45p.m. and teardown can begin at the end of the awards presentation.
  • Please be sure to clean up all of your items, trash, and leave the space as it was when you arrived. 
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“Parent Partner”
  • Parents may unintentionally tend to make children’s events stressful. What is needed from parents are clear boundaries and backstage organization. Then, let the students flourish. Remember its all about their opportunity. 
  • Parents may tend to get ahead of their children in passion. There is great value in your child not getting everything done in time. This will help them learn. Make sure they create a product or service they are excited about. Remember the parental adage that “there is blessing in a skinned knee.”
  • Though there are awards, remember that the goal of this event is to encourage and empower their desire to be creative, establish some work ethic, learn and grow from the experience.
  • Do not do the work for the children. If the product or service looks messy, that is ok; in fact, that is great! Encourage your children to make a valuable product or service, but never take the role of manager or owner.  Your child is the Chairman, CEO, and owner. Let your child be those things!
 
Be the Cheerleader
  • Wonder: There are so many opportunities. Allow your child the gift of wonder. Ask open-ended questions.
  • Industriousness: Allow your child the gift of seeing the fruit of hard work.
  • Responsibility: Treat your child as the sole owner. Let the child make the plans and the decisions as much as possible.
  • Encouragement: Provide encouraging communication.
  • Enthusiasm: Provide passion for the Children’s Business Fair.
For more information contact Nikkie Dvorchak, VP of Events and Development, at nikkie@napleschamber.org or 239.403.2909.

Resources:
3 Magic Seeds for Starting a Business

​101 Business Ideas for Kids

​Guide to Writing a Business Plan

Children's Business Fair Sponsorship Packet

Quicklinks
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
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​Youth Leadership Collier