Hosted by the Maryville Public Library
FAQ
WHAT IS THE CHILDREN'S BUSINESS FAIR?
The Children's Business Fair is a project to encourage creativity and entrepreneurship and allow youth to showcase their businesses in an one-day event. As a branch of the Acton Children’s Business Fair it is supported by the largest entrepreneurship event for kids in North America.
WHEN AND WHERE WILL IT BE HELD?
The fair will be held Saturday, March 16, from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm at the gym of the First Baptist Church, 121 E. Jenkins. Businesses can start setting up at 8 am. The fair will end at 12:30 pm, and prizes will be awarded from 12:30 to 1:00 pm.
WHAT OTHER IMPORTANT DATES DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT?
Applications Open - January 19
Application Deadline - January 30
Business Plans are Due- February 13
Business Plan Review - February 20, 5:30 pm
Launch Party - March 9, 3 pm and 4 pm
Market Day - March 16, 9 am - 12:30 pm
​
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
Youth who are age 8 through high school can participate.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Young entrepreneurs first make an important decision: they hire themselves! Young entrepreneurs should submit an application and begin to build a product or service. They plan their business at every level: product/service, marketing, accounting, cost of goods, pricing, and more.
HOW MANY BUSINESSES WILL YOU ACCEPT?
We will accept up to 50 businesses.
IS THERE A FEE TO PARTICIPATE?
There is a $15 participation fee for each business which will be collected when an application is submitted. The participation fee will be refunded on the day of the Children’s Business Fair for each business which follows through and hosts a table. For team businesses only one $15 fee needs to be paid. For those who would have difficulty with the participation fee, there are a limited number of scholarships available. Please talk to Elizabeth Argo when you turn in your application.
HOW DO I APPLY? CAN I APPLY AS PART OF A GROUP?
You can pick up an application at the library or print from the portal at maryvillepubliclibrary.org and email it to youthcoordinator@maryvillepubliclibrary.org.
Applications open January 19, 2024. Please submit one application for each business. Children working as a group should submit one application that includes each child’s and their parent’s/guardian’s information. No more than 3 participants per business.
WHAT IS ON THE APPLICATION?
The application asks kids to think through some simple, but important elements of their business:
1) What product or service do you plan to sell?
2) How will you advertise/market your business before the fair?
3) At the end of the fair, how will you determine if your business was a success?
4) Parental permission signature required.
WHAT IF SOMEONE ELSE HAS THE SAME BUSINESS IDEA?
Two cupcake businesses? Not a problem. In general, we will let market forces play out.
HOW WILL THE FAIR BE SET UP?
Each business will be given an approximately 6-foot table, and 2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided.
WILL ELECTRICITY BE AVAILABLE?
A limited number of electrical outlets are available. Please indicate on the application only if your business absolutely needs it. It is not guaranteed.
WILL THERE BE PRIZES?
Yes. All entries will be automatically entered in the business competition and will be judged by local entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs will be judged by age groups which will be determined after all business applications are received in order to create groups that are as equal as possible. If children of different age groups submit a business together, they will be judged in the age group of the oldest participant. Cash prizes and other prizes will be awarded for Most Original Business Idea, Highest Business Potential, and Best Presentation. The committee reserves the right to add additional categories for judging and add or subtract the number of age categories as necessary.
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 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. (For more information about parental roles, please see the letter to parents.) There will be no tables allowed for established, national businesses/organizations for which the child is only the reseller.
Maryville Public Library