DAPHNE – Young entrepreneurs will have a chance to show off their products and services during the fourth-annual Eastern Shore Children’s Business Fair on Oct. 23 in Daphne.
The event will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Centennial Park in downtown Daphne, event organizer Lynne Holloway said. She said about 50 children, ranging in age from 7 to 17, in 35 booths are scheduled to take part this year.
For some participants, the fair is their first chance to experience the commercial world. Others have become experienced business operators.
“We run the gamut from kids that just want to set up a lemonade stand and actually have some people buy, who are just learning what it’s like to count change and sell a product and then we have some kids that have a genuine set-up business throughout the year,” Holloway said Saturday.
She said some children got their start in business at the fair and now operate their own businesses throughout the year, such as one girl who makes bandana neckwear for dogs.
“She sews bandanas for dogs, and she’s got her product in some of the stores in Fairhope and takes regular orders throughout the years, especially around holidays,” Holloway said. “We’ve also got some artists that take regular orders throughout the year.”
The idea for the fair began about four years ago when Holloway’s daughter, Sara, wanted to operate a lemonade stand at their Lake Forest home. The turnout was disappointing, and the family looked into what else they could do. They discovered the Children’s Business Fair, which organizes events around the world.
Holloway contacted organizers and arranged to hold the first Eastern Shore Children’s Business Fair in Daphne in 2018.
“We got the green light to do that four years ago and started the Eastern Shore Children’s Business Fair,” she told Daphne City Council members on Oct. 4. “It has grown by leaps and bounds with your support, with support of our sponsors and volunteers.”
Sara, now 12, has taken part all four years and this year will be selling handmade items, such as ornaments and jewelry.
“One of the main purposes of this fair is to let kids be creative and to teach them fundamentals of business and entrepreneurship,” Sara told council members. “This is our fourth year doing the fair and our biggest one yet.”
Holloway said that while the exhibitors are children, many business exhibits look professional.
“They decorate their booths and they put a lot of work and pride into everything that they’re doing and it’s professional grade level for a lot of these kids,” she said. “We’ve had kids that have had legit businesses for years. They’ve been saving for college and then kids that just want ot experience what it’s like to be an entrepreneur for the day. You’ll see a wide range and it’s always a really good time.”
She said that while spaces for exhibitors are filled, the organization is still looking for sponsors. “We run on sponsorships,” she said. “It’s a not-for-profit event that runs on donations and sponsorships.”
More information on the event and sponsorships is available at the event’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ESCBF.
