For the fair, child entrepreneurs create a product or service, calculate a profit margin by considering costs and pricing, develop a brand, build a marketing strategy and then open for customers for a one-day marketplace. The children are responsible for the setup, sales and interacting with customers.

The fair is usually held in mid-March at the Maryville Public Library, but was rescheduled and moved to Beal Park to allow for better social distancing and other precautions that will be taken for the health of the public and the young entrepreneurs.

“In rescheduling we thought an outside venue would be the best location,” said Elizabeth Argo, the library’s youth services coordinator. “Hand sanitizer and face masks will be available as well as open bathrooms for hand washing. Masks will be encouraged, but not required. In sync with CDC guidelines, we ask that shoppers social distance at 6 feet apart as much as possible.”

Some products include jewelry, natural beauty products, candy, crafts, original art, photography, candles, slime, cat toys, hair bows, keychains and art made from shotgun shells.

“There are so many unique products that you can’t find anywhere else,” Argo said. “The challenge for most shoppers is there are so many quality products to buy.”

The following 21 businesses are run by 33 young entrepreneurs: Ashton’s Land of Arts, Ashton Brand and Lana Brand; Blushing Cloud, Bernadette Badami; Breakfast Table, Kayla Rucker and Taylor Rucker; Bree’s Artistic Designs, Breanna Parman; Clay Creations, Arya Green, Glenna Christensen and Izzy Huerta; Dipping Jars, Wesley Rucker and Waylee Rucker; GB & Co., Gwyn Bilke; Imagine, Andrea Jenkins; K&C Cosmetics, Katherine Pohren and Caroline Pohren; Katie’s Creations, Katelyn Parman; Lemonade Forever, Charlie Dimmitt, Max Schulte, and Karina Wall; Brick House Chocolatiers, Liam O’Gwin and Pippa O’Gwin; Longshot Shells, Titus McKim and Mace McKim; BisonWood, Luke Bilke; Melayna’s Homemade Braceletz, Melayna Gardner, Purrfectly Pampered, Isabel Green; R&C Jewelry, River Blake and Coral Blake; Smile More, Mattie Dimmitt; Sunrise Studio, Vincent Badami; Sunset Creations, Sydney Meeks and Aubrei Gardner; and Xhilerate, Skye Livesay.

Business leaders who mentored during the feedback session included: Scott Copeland, Board Game Cafe; Crystal Combs, Maryville High School; Holly Cronk, Ferluknat Farm; Kelli Morris, Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation; Ed Gumm, Priority One Realty; Amy Houts, author; Dina Green, Minne Lane; and Liz Huerta, Edmund Designs.

Some businesses also allow the entrepreneurs to sell their products in local stores after the fair as well. A full listing of those businesses and the matches with young entrepreneurs will be available after the fair.

The shoppers who come to view and buy items are another important piece as well as the judges who give their time to make difficult decisions for three awards in four age categories. Prizes include $100 per prize and are sponsored by Nodaway Valley Bank.

Finally, the sponsors who help to make the event possible include: Nodaway Valley Bank, Hy-Vee, Maryville Friends of the Library, Eagles Auxiliary 3669, and Acton Academy. The Nodaway County Children’s Business Fair is a branch of the national Acton Business Fair which sponsors fairs across the country and is the largest children’s business fair in North America.