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Simplified: Acton Academy's Fifth Annual Children's Business Fair will give dozens of kids a chance to experience entrepreneurship at its June 26 event. Here's what you need to know.
Why it matters
- Acton Academy is a fast-growing private school with a focus on empowering kids with project-based learning, individualized goal-setting and the idea that kids are capable of taking ownership of their own education. The school has 34 learners, and hopes to grow to 50 in the coming year, said Marketing and Recruiting Manager Samantha Johnson.
- The annual Acton Children's Business Fair is open to any child age 6 to 17 – kids don't have to attend Acton Academy to participate. Some of the businesses this year include homemade jewelry, baked goods, 3D printed items, soaps and more.
- Kids also get a chance to win awards for their business, including most original idea, highest business potential and best presentation.
"It's a way for Acton to share what it's all about – empowering the youth to really find their calling," Johnson said.
Tell me more
In addition to giving kids a chance to explore their business ideas, the fair is also an opportunity to teach important lessons about money and finances.
Acton learner Ailee Johnson, 15, will be participating in her fourth business fair this year, and she said each year she's learned new lessons.
- Her very first business was selling baked goods and treats. She realized, though, that required quite a bit of work that had to be done the day before, and then any leftover inventory wasn't really sellable.
Now, she's pivoted to selling jewelry, which she's doing for the second time now, and it's allowed her to start building inventory months in advance. Plus, anything she doesn't sell can still be sold either in a future fair or throughout the year.
"I've been able to kind of see what entrepreneurship looks like," Ailee Johnson said, "and how to factor in different parts of running a business."
What to know before you go
The Children's Business Fair will run from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 26 at Startup Sioux Falls.
The public is invited to come shop, support these young entrepreneurs and stick around for a free concert at the Levitt after the event.
