The Metro Birmingham Children’s Business Fair is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to introducing young people ages 6–16 to entrepreneurship and helping them discover the possibilities of owning and operating a business.
We believe children have ideas, creativity, and talents worth exploring. They need opportunities to put those ideas into action, develop practical skills, and experience what it means to create something of their own.
Through children’s business fairs, workshops, and educational experiences, we encourage young people to think creatively, take initiative, solve problems, and build confidence.
Our work is centered on one simple belief: young people don’t have to wait until adulthood to begin exploring entrepreneurship.
Metro Birmingham Children’s Business Fair
Where Possibilities Begin.
Our Mission
To introduce young people ages 6–16 to entrepreneurship by providing opportunities to develop business skills, explore their creativity, build confidence, and turn their ideas into action.
Our Vision
To empower the next generation of entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to recognize opportunities, pursue their ideas, and shape their futures.
Our Belief
We believe every young person has the potential to create, innovate, and make a difference. With encouragement and opportunity, an idea can become the beginning of something meaningful.
What Happens at the Fair
The Metro Birmingham Children’s Business Fair gives young entrepreneurs the opportunity to take their ideas out of their imagination and into the marketplace.
Each participating child creates a business, develops a product or service, and prepares to introduce it to potential customers.
On fair day, young business owners set up their own booths, display their products or services, interact with customers, answer questions, and make sales.
Visitors have the opportunity to discover the creativity and resourcefulness of young entrepreneurs while supporting their businesses.
For participants, the experience is about much more than making a sale. It is an opportunity to put their ideas into action, make decisions, solve problems, and experience the responsibilities and rewards of running a business.
Young Entrepreneurs. Big Ideas. Where Possibilities Begin.
What Children Learn
The Metro Birmingham Children’s Business Fair is designed to give young people practical experience they can carry with them long after the fair ends.
Through preparation, participation, and hands-on learning, young entrepreneurs are introduced to important business and life skills.
Communication and Customer Service
- Introducing themselves and their businesses
- Explaining product features and benefits
- Communicating with customers
- Answering questions and building confidence
Business and Financial Skills
- Developing and presenting a business idea
- Setting prices
- Understanding revenue and profit
- Recognizing business expenses and startup costs
- Setting sales and financial goals
- Learning the value of saving and reinvesting
Creativity and Problem-Solving
- Turning ideas into products or services
- Making decisions about their businesses
- Finding solutions to challenges
- Taking initiative and responsibility
Confidence and Independence
Perhaps most importantly, children gain the opportunity to step outside their comfort zones, take pride in their accomplishments, interact with the public, and experience what it means to bring an idea to life.
The goal is not simply to help children make a sale. It is to help them develop skills and confidence that can serve them throughout their lives.
The Impact on Young Entrepreneurs
For many children, the Metro Birmingham Children’s Business Fair is their first opportunity to experience what it means to own and operate a business.
They begin with an idea. They make decisions, prepare their products or services, interact with customers, and discover what it takes to bring their ideas to life.
Along the way, they experience:
- Confidence: Learning to introduce themselves, speak with customers, and believe in their abilities.
- Independence: Making decisions and taking responsibility for their businesses.
- Accomplishment: Experiencing the satisfaction of seeing an idea become something real.
- Financial Awareness: Understanding the connection between pricing, expenses, sales, and profit.
- Camaraderie: Connecting with other young entrepreneurs who share their interests and enthusiasm.
- Goal Setting: Learning to establish goals and work toward achieving them.
A successful experience is not measured by sales alone. It is also measured by what children discover about themselves, what they learn, and what they begin to believe is possible.
Sometimes the most important thing a child takes home isn’t what they earned. It’s what they learned about themselves.
Sponsorship and Community Support
The Metro Birmingham Children’s Business Fair depends on the generosity and commitment of businesses, organizations, foundations, and individuals who believe in the potential of young people.
Sponsorship makes it possible for us to provide business fairs, educational workshops, learning opportunities, and resources that encourage young people to explore entrepreneurship.
By supporting MBCBF, sponsors become part of an effort to help children develop practical skills, confidence, creativity, and an entrepreneurial mindset.
Sponsorship Opportunities
We welcome support at the following levels:
- Community Supporter — $250
- Bronze Partner — $500
- Silver Partner — $1,000
- Gold Partner — $2,500
- Platinum Partner — $5,000
- Presenting Partner — $10,000 and above
Sponsorship recognition is provided for 12 months from the date a contribution is received, with opportunities for annual renewal. Multi-year arrangements may be established by mutual agreement.
More Than Financial Support
There are many ways to contribute to the success of young entrepreneurs. In addition to financial sponsorship, we welcome community partners and volunteers who can share their knowledge, experience, time, and professional expertise.
Opportunities may include:
- Volunteering at fairs and workshops
- Sharing business knowledge and professional experience
- Mentoring young people interested in entrepreneurship
- Providing resources and services that support our programs
- Helping introduce MBCBF to other community supporters
An Investment in Possibility
When you support the Metro Birmingham Children’s Business Fair, you help create opportunities for young people to discover their abilities, explore their ideas, and experience the possibilities of entrepreneurship.
Together, we can help young people see what is possible—and give them the opportunity to begin.
Founders and Leadership
The Metro Birmingham Children’s Business Fair was founded by Charita H. Cadenhead and Sabrina Mays, who share a belief in the potential of young people and the value of introducing children to entrepreneurship.
Their vision is to create opportunities for young people to explore business ownership, develop practical skills, build confidence, and discover what they can accomplish when given the chance to turn an idea into action.
Through the Metro Birmingham Children’s Business Fair, they are working to encourage a new generation of creative thinkers, problem-solvers, innovators, and entrepreneurs.
Charita H. Cadenhead
Co-Founder
Sabrina Mays
Co-Founder
Connect With Us
We welcome conversations with businesses, organizations, foundations, families, and community members who share our interest in encouraging young entrepreneurs.
Whether you are interested in sponsorship, volunteering, partnerships, media coverage, or learning more about our programs, we would love to hear from you.
Metro Birmingham Children’s Business Fair
Website: www.bizsavvykids.org
Email: metrobrminghamcbf@gmail.com
Phone: 205-527-1112
Facebook: Metro Birmingham Children’s Business Fair
Instagram: @bham_childrens_business_fair
YouTube: @metrobirminghamcbf
Where Possibilities Begin.