South Suburban Kids Mean Business At Youth Entrepreneur Fair

PALOS HILLS, IL — Baubles, bangles, bath bombs, balms and bows were among the many creations found last week among the colorful kid pop-ups at the second annual Youth Entrepreneur Fair at Moraine Valley Community College. Over 50 businesses developed by 80 young entrepreneurs participated.

“As a mother of young entrepreneurs and the co-hosts of the Palos Hills fair at Moraine Valley Community College, I see the direct impact these types of events have on the confidence of our youth,” said Sundus Madi, a Moraine Valley faculty member and mother of 12-year-old twins who run a pet sitting service.

The event was organized by the Pet City, the Arab American Business And Professional Association, NextGen Business Leaders Club MVCC and the Acton School of Business.

Clay With J

The Thursday prior to the Feb. 22 business fair, the young entrepreneurs attended a workshop led by students from Moraine Valley’s NextGen business club. They learned about selling themselves and their businesses, such as dressing your little brother up like a cowboy to lure shoppers to your booth with his cuteness. The workshop also covered greeting potential buyers and clients with a firm handshake.

It was evident that these future business leaders worked incredibly hard in preparing for the event crocheting, stringing beads, balloon twisting, churning out lip balm, painting concrete sculpture, crafting and baking.

“These kids gave it their all, from their table presentations, custom products and service, and their courage to sell themselves,” Sundus said. “Their patrons were thrilled by the creativity and bold selling skills.”

A pair of brothers from Orland Park, Faisel Hassan and Zayd Hassan, were in their basement over a month tye-dying socks, tee shirts and scarves for their business Tye Dye Fun, their father told Patch.

Splatters

The concept was created by Laura and Jeff Sandefer, of Austin, Texas, who wanted to spark an interest in entrepreneurship in their own children. The first Acton Children’s Business Fair took place in Austin in 2007. Today, there are more than 250 affiliate Acton schools in 31 states and 25 countries, serving as one-room schoolhouses for the 21st century.

Kids who wish to host a fair in their own communities must submit a videotaped statement to Acton about why they want to host an event. Once approved, Acton provides a kit where a parent and child can start working on their event. Some kids are seasoned pros, taking their brands to other Acton fairs in their area.

Students were split into age groups and were judged on most original business idea, highest business potential and best presentation/creativity. The students made money, with the winners in each category receiving $50 cash, including:

Age Group 5-7

• Most Original – Saleem McCarthy, 5, with Saleem Stone Collectors, IAM Academy
• Highest Business Potential – Augusto Garrison, 7, and Lucas Garrison, 6, The Lemonade Brothers, St. Patricia School
• Best Presentation – Laila White, 7, Laila’s Lemonade, homeschool

Age Group 8-10

• Best Presentation – Victourea Lumpkins, 8, Icky Lip Gloss, Highlands Elementary (Naperville)
• Highest Business Potential – Faisel Hassan, 9, and Zayd Hassan, 7, Tie Dye Fun, High Point School and Center Elementary (Orland Park)
• Most Original – Idha Malhorta, 9, Art on the Cart, Nancy Young Elementary School (Aurora)

Age Group 11-12

• Best Presentation – Armando Sales, 11, Mandy’s Bracelets, Hilda Walker Intermediate (Tinley Park)
• Best Presentation – Celine Aldoh, 11, Beads by Celine, Hadly Middle School (Homer Glen)
• Most Original – Leona Pan, 11, Leona Mini Shop, Robert Healy Elementary (Chicago)
• Most Original – Ravah ISLAMOGLU, 11, Pinteresting, Emerson Middle School
• Highest Business Potential – Nina Quan, Katerina Quan, and Camilla Quan, ParTea, Clarendon Hills Middle School (Clarendon Hills)
• Highest Business Potential – Meera Shah, 11, Aaseona Cosmetics, Keith Country Day School (Rockford)

Age 13+

• Highest Business Potential – Fiona Duan, 13, Fionatastic Jewelry, British International School (Chicago)
• Most Original – Lama Jafar, 13, and Leen Jafar, 10, LLJ Crochet, Orland Junior High and High Point Elementary (Orland Park)
• Best Presentation – Liyan Nassar, 15, Bilassan Elsheikh, 15, and Mawada Elsheikh, 15, Baked With Love, Universal High School (Bridgeview) and Stagg High School (Palos Hills)

Sundus told Patch that organizing for next year’s youth entrepreneur fair will begin in December.

“It has been an honor to work with these young entrepreneurs from the moment they apply to the fair all the way to the very end of the event,” Sundus said. “The amount of work, energy, and excitement they express instills a motivation that ripples through everyone involved.”

Interested in participating or organizing a children's business fair in your community? Visit Acton Children's Business Fair for more info.