Second Annual Children's Business Fair Planned In Lockport

LOCKPORT, IL — The second annual Children's Business Fair is set for Sept. 28 in Lockport.

According to event organizers, the business fair will host 50 young entrepreneurs from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 28 inside the Dellwood Park Community Center. The fair is free and open to the public.

Applications are closed since the event is at capacity, but young entrepreneurs can be added to the back-up list, organizers said in a release.

To participate in the fair, children create a product or service, develop a brand, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at this one-day marketplace. The children are responsible for the setup, sales, and interacting with customers, according to a release.

This event is sponsored by Realtopia Real Estate, a local Lockport family-owned real estate brokerage, Dan with The Andersen Team at HMA Mortgage, Blissful Brew Coffee Co. in Lockport, Balance Blends essential oil rollers and Acton Academy.

Ashley York, the founder of Realtopia Real Estate and a mom of three, is coordinating this event along with the City of Lockport and Lupine Montessori School.

“Seeing how proud these children are to sell their homemade products and earn real money is something you just have to witness for yourself,” York said in a release.

The inspiration to host this first annual event was sparked after witnessing her own daughter sell her hand drawn pictures at another children’s business fair. Her daughter, Emily, has since learned which drawings sell more copies at what price and has expanded her inventory to include original short stories, aspiring to be an illustrator when she’s older.

“Today’s youth are tomorrow’s business innovators and leaders. The Children’s Business Fair gives students the opportunity to spread their entrepreneurial wings and get a head start on promising business careers,” said Jeff Sandefer, founder of the Acton School of Business, one of the sponsors of the fair.