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| Children in the United States getting the chance to launch startups through the program titled Children’s Entrepreneur Market |
Learning Entrepreneurship…. From Primary School
On a weekend morning in the city of Watauga (Texas), dozens of blue and red tents filled a local community park. However, this was not an adult trade fair; it was the Children’s Entrepreneur Market, a startup marketplace run entirely by children.
After paying a USD 20 booth fee, the young participants handled every stage of the business process themselves, including preparing their own products, setting up their stalls, pricing items, promoting sales, and calculating profits. Products on display range widely, from handmade bracelets, handcrafted soaps, 3D toys, LEGO models, and origami creations to lemonade stands, face-painting services, and colorful hair-spray activities. Everything was operated by the children themselves under the supervision of their parents, who observed but did not step in to do the work for them, helping build the children’s confidence. These “entrepreneurship markets” are held almost all year-round and consistently attract large numbers of participating families.
Ms. Priya, an Indian-born parent living in the area, shared: “Used to be a shy boy, since my son started selling his own products, he has become much more confident. He has learned how to communicate, handle money, and take responsibility for his own decisions. As an Asian parent, I’ve come to realize that hands-on experiences like these are just as important as academic performance in school”.
The children’s entrepreneurship market model in the United States is no longer confined to large urban areas but has gradually spread to many local communities. Since registering for the program, I have regularly received emails introducing similar events, ranging from large-scale to small-scale markets, held near my area.
Recently, after learning that the Children’s Entrepreneur Market would participate in “Douglas Railroad Days” in Wyoming, an annual large-scale event hosted by the Douglas Railroad Museum, I began following the program for my daughter’s studies.
The market, which ran through lunchtime, brought together hundreds of young “kidpreneurs” and featured a range of complementary recreational activities. Beyond simply selling products, the event gave children an opportunity to understand how a miniature economy operates, from product display, marketing, communication, and negotiation to cash flow management.
To make their booths more eye-catching and attract more customers, many children brought a variety of decorations, and some even included their pets in their displays.
Fundraising - A Social Responsibility Raised at An Early Age
Beyond exposure to profit-driven business activities, many school and community group programs also help children in the United States develop a deeper understanding of their social responsibilities.
On a cold evening, my sixth-grade daughter bundled up in a warm coat, carrying an order sheet and flyers for a cookie fundraising campaign supporting her school choir team. She went door to door in the neighborhood promoting the sale. Seeing an Asian student, her hands numb from the cold yet still smiling and taking pride in what she was doing, most families bought a few boxes to show their support and encouragement. The cookies operated on a “pay now, deliver later” model. Before Christmas, she would deliver the orders to each family after receiving the products from the school, while the proceeds would go toward funding the choir team’s activities for 2026.
This went beyond a fundraising activity. It was also about building courage, developing communication skills, and helping children learn that communities are often willing to lend support when they take initiative and make an effort.
Not only local children but also many Vietnamese-American youngsters in the United States quickly and actively join fundraising activities, which are considered an important part of the country’s educational culture. In addition to taking part in startup activities at “Children’s Entrepreneur Markets”, many also join well-known community programs such as Girl Scouts and Scouting America, where selling cookies, popcorn, or handmade products serves not only as a fundraising effort but also as a way to cultivate discipline, confidence, and a spirit of community service.
Ms. Pham Lan, a parent of a Vietnamese girl participating in Scouting America in Texas, shared: “Here, my daughter is not only learning business skills but also how to serve the community, appreciate the value of money, and be grateful for every act of support she receives. I consider these invaluable life lessons”.