FAQ’s
What is the Wichita Children’s Business Fair?
The Wichita Children’s Business Fair 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.
Who is it for?
Any child between the ages of 6 and 12 who has a business idea they want to bring to life.
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.
Parents may help their child fill out the application, but we expect the children to do as much as possible by themselves.
Where should I begin?
Start with our resources page. Read tips for starting a business and business ideas for kids and play games to hone your business skills.
How do I apply? Can I apply as part of a group?
The 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.
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 a tented outdoor event with booths. Each business will be given a booth with an 8-foot table, full-cover tenting, and 1-2 chairs. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.
Will electricity be available?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the booths.
Are there any fees?
There is a $10 booth fee. The money is used for cash prizes that will be awarded in each of the age groups (6-7, 8-10, and 11-12) based on the following categories:
- Most Business Potential
- Most Original Business Idea
- Best Presentation / Creativity
What is Wonder?
Wonder is a Montessori pre-K and 21st Century One-Room-Schoolhouse with learner driven technology, Socratic discussions, real-world apprenticeships and hands on quests.
We are dedicated to inspiring each child to see life as a Hero’s Journey, where someone with curiosity and character can find a calling that changes the world.
Learn more at www.daringtowonder.com.
How did the Children’s Business Fair start?
The idea to host a Children’s Business Fair first originated from Acton Academy in Austin, TX. Since its inception in 2007, the fair has grown into the largest entrepreneurship event for kids in North America.
Wonder is bringing the event to Wichita to help children discover their entrepreneurial abilities and showcase their startups to the community. The fair is designed to encourage children to take risks, solve problems, and use innovative thinking.