Youth Business Market

The Orange County Children’s Museum Youth Market inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneur. The one-day market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own business and make real money!

What is the OCCM Youth Market?

Kids develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at our one-day marketplace.

This is a unique opportunity where children, ages 6-16, are given the complete and total freedom to start their own business and make real money!

We hope this Youth Market will spark creativity, ingenuity, money smarts, and a taste of what creating and marketing a business entails.

We all believe that principled entrepreneurs are heroes and role models for the next generation.

Whether an entrepreneur is famous like Elon Musk or Oprah Winfrey or they are one of the  of unsung business owners across this country, these are the people who make sacrifices to innovate, create jobs and serve their communities.

Who can participate?

Youth between the ages of 6 and 16 can apply.

What kind of business can I have?

Our marketplace will only showcase handmade products or unique experiences….so get those creative juices flowing! Unfortunately, we cannot have food/beverage vendors or re-sellers. As savvy business people, we choose to see this as an opportunity to think outside the box, looking for ways to meet the needs of our customers within these restrictions and see some great ideas come to life!

The timing of our event is also the beginning of the holiday shopping season. Who will you be inviting to shop and what kinds of products or services would be appealing to them? You can also think about gift giving and holiday items that might appeal to your shopper at this time of year.

How many businesses will we accept?

We will accept up to 50 businesses.

How do I apply? Can I apply as part of a group?

Complete the online application, and do your best to answer all of the questions yourself (parents can oversee this process). Please submit one application for each business. Children working as a group should submit one application that includes each child’s information. Not more than 3 participants per business. When you submit the form, you will pay the $20 booth fee.

What is on the application?

The application asks kids to think through some simple, but important elements of their business:

• What product or service do you plan to sell?
• What price will you charge for each product/service? How much will each product/service cost you?
• How will you pay for your startup costs? If someone is helping you with your startup costs, how will you pay that person back?
• How will you advertise/market your business before the fair?
• At the end of the fair, how will you determine if your business was a success?
• All participants will also be asked to sign a standard liability waiver for the event.

What if someone else has the same business idea?

Two bracelet businesses? Not a problem. In general, we will let market forces play out, though we will let later entries know if another applicant has a similar idea so the later entrant can decide what to do. Please be advised, we receive many similar ideas and products. We ask that you carefully execute a spectacular pitch to share with your customers, coordinate a unique display for presentation to stand apart!

Some healthy competition is good in business, but we are keen to avoid stifling the potential sales for booths with similar products.

How will the marketplace be set up?

The market will take place outdoors. Each business will be given a 10x10 space. Please bring your own easy-up (optional), table, table cloth, chairs, money to make change, and anything you will need for your display and sales. We are not able to provide electricity.

Besides cash, can I accept other forms of payment?

All vendors should have change on hand for cash transactions. You are also strongly encouraged to look into a wireless (likely on a parent’s phone) credit card processing app- like venmo, paypal here, or square.

What are the rules?

This event is designed to give the children the experience of selling a product or service. If a parent is found selling or promoting a child’s product or service during the event, their child’s business will be disqualified from the competition.