FAQ and Guidelines

Saturday, February 25, 2023
Gulf Coast High School
7878 Shark Way, Naples, FL 34119
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

What is the Youth Business Fair?
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! Next, the students will register their business on our website. They then bring their parents or guardians to attend an orientation event to learn more. The students plan their business at every level: product, service, marketing, accounting, cost of goods, pricing, profit, etc. Through this process, students learn a sense of wonder, the importance of hard work, taking responsibility, and gaining confidence in the next challenge.

General Information

• Applicants must be enrolled in grades K-12 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 and 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. (Please provide names/info during registration of attendees)
• Vendor entry fee is $15 per business, which will be paid at the time of registration to reserve your spot at the fair. If there is a hardship circumstance, please inquire at 239-403-2910 for possible assistance.
  
• Please note that you may help your student fill out the registration, but encourage them to complete as much as possible on their own.
• We will attempt to 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-served basis. 
• If you are selling a food product, please include a sign listing all ingredients. 
• Electricity is limited. If power is necessary, please request in advance. First-come, first-served. 
• WiFi is available. 
• No generators are permitted. 
• No animals are permitted.
• No open flames are permitted.
• No reselling of store-bought products.
• Parents of younger students may sit in their booth, but the students are responsible for the setup, sales and interacting with the customers. Any parent seen selling to the customer or promoting the student’s product will result in disqualification from the competition. 

Awards

• All participants will automatically be entered into the following business competitions. Winners will be voted on by fellow entrepreneurs and attendees.
  • Most Original Business Idea
  • Highest Business Potential
  • Most Creative Presentation 
• Booths will also be judged by the “Judges Panel” for first, second and third place overall awards within each School Level: Elementary, Middle, and High School.
• The Pitch Competition will be held in the auditorium and open only for high school students. Various awards will be awarded. Spots are limited to compete. Winners will be voted by a panel of community leaders.
• Awards will be presented at the end of the fair at approximately 12:45 p.m. 

Setup & Teardown

• Set up will begin at 7:30 a.m. and must be complete by 9:30 a.m. No vendor will be permitted to participate if they show up after 9:30 a.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 tear down your booth until 1 p.m. The fair is open to the public and will run until 1 p.m. 
• Please be sure to clean up all of your items and trash, and leave the space as it was when you arrived. ​

“Parent Partner”

• Encourage your student to create a product or service they are excited about! 
• Do not do the work for your student. If the product or service looks messy, that is ok. In fact, that is great! This will help them learn.
• Cheer on your student in their venture, but never take the role of manager or owner.  Your student is the chairman, CEO and owner. 
• 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.

Be the Cheerleader

• Wonder: There are so many opportunities. Allow your student the gift of wonder. Ask open-ended questions.
• Industriousness: Allow your student the gift of seeing the fruit of hard work.
• Responsibility: Treat your student as the sole owner. Let the student make the plans and the decisions as much as possible.
• Encouragement: Provide encouraging communication.
• Enthusiasm: Provide passion for the Youth Business Fair.

Register for the Youth Business Fair!

For more information contact Danielle O'Conner, Director of Talent Initiatives, at danielle@napleschamber.org or (239)-403-2910.

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