Wis. (WSAW) – A non-profit organization in Wausau is teaching kids how to run a <a href="https://bitcomme.com/how-small-retailers-are-preparing-for-small-business-saturday/” title=”How small retailers are preparing for Small Business Saturday”>business by hosting a Children’s Business Fair on Saturday
Kids as young as 6 will run more than 40 booths at the Children’s Business Fair from 9 a.m. to noon at the Boys & Girls Club of Wausau.
The public is invited to shop and support the young entrepreneurs.
The fair is held twice a year. It is organized by Leadership Launchpad, a nonprofit that teaches young people about business, and gives kids the chance to show off their products and sell them to the public.
Participants get a hands-on look at what it takes to start and run a business. They develop a brand, create a product or service and build a marketing strategy. Kids keep whatever they make, which teaches them financial responsibility.
Heidi Dercks, founder of Leadership Launchpad, said the experience guides children through every phase of entrepreneurship.
“It really makes them think through a whole business process from what do I want to make even, designing a business logo, creating a name, learning about profit and loss, all the way through creating a product, time management to get everything done,” Dercks said.
Dercks described the range of products kids have sold.
“We have a huge variety of products that the kids make, anywhere from crochet items, laser engraving, baked goods, smoothies, coffee, 3D printing is popular, bracelets, jewelry making, candles, pretty much you name it, we’ve had it sold at one of our events,” Dercks said.
At the end of the event, organizers will award $50 cash prizes to selected booths chosen by guest judges and sponsors.
Registration is still open online, and kids pay a minimum of $25 to take part. Organizers say they usually have a few extra tables for last-minute vendors.
The next fair is scheduled for April 17.
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