Question 1

What is the Western Wake Children’s Business Fair?

Accepted Answer

It is an initiative that culminates in an annual one-day event in the Triangle region in North Carolina that gives children the opportunity to sell their own products and services. It was later transformed into a comprehensive year-round program focused on empowering children to develop entrepreneurial skills that last far beyond the fair.

Question 2

I'm interested in selling at the fair, where should I begin?

Accepted Answer

Read inspiring stories about other young entrepreneurs and brainstorm ideas of what you could sell at the fair. When applications open, submit your application. Then, buy everything you need and get started!

Question 3

How do I apply to sell? Can I apply as part of a group?

Accepted Answer

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 4 participants per business.

Question 4

What is on the application?

Accepted Answer

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?

Question 5

What if someone else has the same business idea?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 6

How will the fair be set up?

Accepted Answer

The fair will be a tented outdoor event with booths. Each business will be given a booth with a table, and a shared tent. Tablecloths will not be provided.

Question 7

Will electricity be available?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the booths.

Question 8

What are the rules?

Accepted Answer

This event is designed to give children the experience of selling a product or service. 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.

Question 9

What if it rains on the day of the fair?

Accepted Answer

No worries - if the weather doesn't cooperate, we will postpone the fair to next day, 1pm-5pm.

Question 10

How did the Western Wake Children’s Business Fair get started?

Accepted Answer

Three high-schoolers in Cary, North Carolina had participated in the Triangle Children's Business Fair when they were younger, and they were interested in launching their own fair near where they lived, so they founded the Western Wake Business Fair in October 2023. They are planning to host their third fair on November 8, 2025.

Question 11

I'm interested in contributing and supporting. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

We thank you for your support and invite you to become a sponsor. Your sponsorship underwrites the fair, provides resources for young entrepreneurs, and benefits your business through our marketing to parents and the larger community in Wake county, North Carolina. Please contact us if you are interested, or donate now via this link: paypal.me/westwakecbf. We also provide other payment options - please contact us.

Western Wake
Children's Business Fair

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Western Wake Children's Business Fair

Western Wake
Children's Business Fair