ST. GEORGE — Young minds are taking center stage at St. George’s largest one-day pop-up market for young entrepreneurs. 

The St. George Children’s Business Fair offers youth a platform to showcase their creative business ideas, launch real ventures and earn real money in a dynamic one-day pop-up extravaganza. 

Presented by Acton Academy St. George, the event is scheduled for Saturday, April 20, from 10 a.m.-noon, and M, this event welcomes all area youth to unleash their entrepreneurial spirit, according to a news release. Participants can flex their creative muscles and business acumen by conceptualizing a brand, crafting products, devising marketing strategies and engaging with customers. 

Event host Ian Lindsey, co-founder of Acton Academy St. George, describes it as akin to St. George’s “Mod Market” event, with one twist: Every business showcased is conceived, owned and operated by youth aged 5-16.

“The goal is to provide a place for young people to experience the power of entrepreneurship for themselves,” Lindsey said in the news release. 

Students who participate in the Acton Academy St. George Children’s Business Fair conduct real transactions for their
products or services, date and location not specified | Photo courtesy of Acton Academy, St. George News

The public is invited to the fair, which features several family-friendly activities. Visitors are encouraged to bring their wallets, as each business will be conducting real transactions for their products or services.

Lindsey said many participants either utilize their earnings from past fairs, savings or secure loans from their parents, which they then repay from their earnings at the fair. 

“Participants will gain invaluable lessons in business economics and more,” Lindsey said. “Maybe most importantly, they learn to have the courage to look adults in the eyes, shake their hands, and to talk with them as if you are on the same plane. The lessons learned can be joyous but also hard, from selling out to choosing the wrong product or price at which to sell. Those are such valuable opportunities to learn now when the stakes are low.”

The St. George Children’s Business Fair will be hosted outside at Acton Academy St. George, featuring over 50 young entrepreneurs. Booth applications are currently open, but limited spots are available. 

Acton Academy St. George is a pre-K through grade 6 private school in St. George, Utah, offering an innovative program that fosters kindness, passion and empowerment in students through socratic discussions, real-world projects, supported by adaptive software. Acton is a school where freedom is cherished and where learners become leaders. 

Click here for more information or call (435) 414-1195.