2021 Small Business Fairs Learnings and Purposes
The Spring into Action Small Business Fair and 2021 Cohort Graduation on April 2, 2022 taught us that holding our fairs inside removes the weather stress from the equation. If you’re a small business owner, particularly with perishable products, a bad weather cancellation is costly. For the 2022 program year (Saturday, April 30, 2022 through Saturday, March 25, 2023) the fairs are moving inside.
We conduct four small business fairs a year in traditionally underserved communities as an integral part of our entrepreneurship, financial management, and life skills training program.
The fairs have several purposes:
- The students in the program introduce their new businesses to the community and assess the viability of the products or services.
- By displaying with other small businesses, the students network and learn from other small business owners.
- To bring money into the community.
Prototype Fair
Aug 20, 2022, 10 AM-2 PM
Peck Auditorium (By Invitation)
The Prototype Fair is often referred to as the Science Fair because of the similarity to the fairs we participated in school. The 2022 Cohort transitions from virtual concept to physical reality and displays their products and services for the first time.
For those of you familiar with Shark Tank, it’s like Shark Tank except the audience is friends, family, grantors, donors, supporters, contributors, and consortium members. The 2022 Cohort will be transitioning from virtual concept to physical reality by displaying their products and services for the first time.
The $1,000 Start-Ups Fall 4 Small Business Fair
Oct 1, 2022; 10 AM-2 PM
Peck Gymnasium
The Harvest Festival offers the cohort the first opportunity to invite area small businesses to join them in displaying and selling their products and services for the first time.
There is no cost to display; however, there is a $25 deposit that is redeemable as Fair Bucks to spend at the fair or refunded as cash at the end of the fair.
Local entertainment, non-profits, and the community are also invited.
Celebrate Small Business Fair
Nov 5, 2022; 10 AM-2 PM
Peck Gymnasium
The Celebrate Small Business Fair, takes place early in the month that marks the start of the holiday shopping season with Black Friday on November 25, 2022, Small Business Saturday on November 26, 2022, and Giving Tuesday, November 29th, 2022.
It gives the 2022 Cohort and local small businesses who don’t have a storefront the opportunity to create and test market holiday themed items ahead of the rush.
There is no cost to display; however, there is a $25 deposit that is redeemable as Fair Bucks to spend at the fair or refunded as cash at the end of the fair.
Local entertainment, non-profits, and the community are also invited.
Spring Into Action Small Business Fair
& 2022 Cohort Graduation
Mar 25, 2023; 10 AM-2 PM
Peck Gymnasium
The Spring Into Action Small Business Fair & 2022 Cohort Graduation is held at the start of spring and before Easter (April 9th 2023)
It gives the 2022 Cohort and local small businesses who don’t have a storefront the opportunity to create and sell spring and Easter items.
There is no cost to display; however, there is a $25 deposit that is redeemable as Fair Bucks to spend at the fair or refunded as cash at the end of the fair.
Local entertainment, non-profits, and the community are also invited.
Follow
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Page and Group to stay up to date on events, resources, and updates, as well as to engage in discussions with other small business owners.
Support
Your tax deductible donation to $1000 Start-Ups helps us to continue to provide training, support, and opportunities for the development of small business in our community.
Attend
Community members are encouraged to attend the fairs to discover new and existing small business and to support economic growth in the local community.