Hello Reader,;

You are receiving this email because you and your child were accepted for the Children's Business Fair on Saturday, May 11th. This is one of a series of emails we will be sending in preparation for the big event. Please do not unsubscribe as you may miss key notifications in the follow-up emails for this event or others in the future.

In just a few weeks, we will be celebrating our young entrepreneurs on the doorstep of the Museum of Discovery & Science (MODS). I hope you are as excited as we are!!

We have 42 booths registered and over 50 young entrepreneurs participating (a record number for us)!

In preparation, I've put together a list of all the questions that have been asked so you can find the answers here:

Q1: What are the ground rules?

A1: Thank you again for being a part of this remarkable event!

And thank you for believing in your children! We (CBF organizers) believe that each child has a gift that can change the world in a profound way. We hope we can help your child continue to learn that they can do hard things, be accountable, and, most importantly, find their OWN calling in life that will help them change the world.

Guidelines for Parents and Guardians

• Parents of younger children may sit in their booth, but the children are to be responsible for the setup, sales, and engaging with the customers.
• This event is designed to give children a taste of selling their own products. Please let them have that full experience - even when it is a struggle.
• Any parent observed selling to customers or promoting a child’s product will result in disqualification from the recognition awards.

Q2: I heard there will be judges. What are they judging?

A2: Something you may want to share with your child (though not required) is that we often have a panel of judges or ballot voting with award recognition in a number of categories such as:

• Most Original Business Idea / Highest Business Potential
• Most Creative / Best Presentation
• Best Salesmanship

Depending on the breakdown of our 2024 participants, we will also have an older and younger division for each award.

When a booth has participants with mixed ages, we will categorize by the oldest participant.

Q3: What time does it start? What time does it end? When can we set-up?

A3: The Fair officially opens at 10am (with a special ceremony for each booth). Tables will be available for set-up at 9:30am. The Fair officially closes at 2pm, with a closing ceremony. We are a rain or shine event. 🙂

Q4: What does each booth need to bring?

A4: Every booth will get one 6-foot table, 2 chairs, and will be under the MODS Atrium awning overhead to keep out the sun (or rain). All table decorations (table cover, signs, displays) are the responsibility of the entrepreneurs. No electricity is available, and no ice or water lines will be provided. Please make any arrangements you may need for each booth to be self-sufficient.

Q5: Where to park?

A5: Right across the street from MODS is the Arts & Science District Garage at 101 SW 5th Avenue. That way you will be easily able to unload materials and walk across the street right into the MODS Atrium.

Q6: How much product should my son or daughter prepare?

A6: That is a question they will need to judge, and is part of the learning experience. Last year we had folks sell-out their full inventory, while others we less busy than they wanted to be. That is part of the learning is to figure out and judge market demand. I can tell you that we expect anywhere between 200-500 "shoppers" to visit the Fair on their way into MODS, based on weekend attendance and the turnout we had in December.

Q7: How can everyone help?

A7: Getting a great turnout at the event is fun for all involved. So please help by inviting friends to come out and support our young entrepreneurs. You can share the event listing on Facebook, but personal invitations always work the best!

If your child would like to record a video advertisement for their booth or products - please send them to me as I will be promiting the event via social media via the Family Friendly Fort Lauderdale newsletter over the next few weeks.

And... if you know someone (a friend, co-worker, or corporate connection) who might like to sponsor our event, we are still looking for small sponsorships, including our naming rights for our recognition categories.

Q8: (And here's the hardest question you didn't ask) What will be the hardest part of this event?

A8: Far and away, the hardest part is for us as parents, to step back and let our budding entrepreneurs do THEIR thing. IF we step in to rescue, we rob them of the learning opportunity. To Rescue = To Rob.

The hardest part for YOU as a parent, is stepping back and letting your child do this project on their own.

• It probably won't look pretty
• It definitely won't be the way you would do things
• They will definitely make mistakes (might even be tears)

... and all that is OKAY!

In fact, if we (I am one too) as parents can step back - our children will receive the gift and greatest opportunity to learn.

When we rescue... we risk losing the learning opportunity.

When we try to help... we actually hurt the ones we love the most.

So today's reminder is more for you (and for me) than it is our budding entrepreneurs.

In what ways can you step back and let them truly own this experience (the good, the bad, AND the ugly)?

Did we miss your question?

HIT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL (it will also help with deliverability) and ask your question. I will make sure we get your questions answered and shared with the whole group.

~ Tobin

Tobin Slaven - Children's Business Fair - Event Organizer​
Dir of Development | Acton Academy Fort Lauderdale | 727-569-6603 (mobile)​

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