Kidpreneurs Take Center Stage At Naperville Children's Business Fair

NAPERVILLE, IL — The Naperville Children's Business Fair is only in its second year, but it's expanded exponentially since Athena Chen, 15, launched it in 2021. The 2022 fair, set for Aug. 6 at Naperville Central High School, will spotlight more than 140 child entrepreneurs ("kidpreneurs," as Chen calls them) selling items from their own businesses.

Chen, a junior at Naperville Central, told Patch the community support for last year's inaugural Naperville Children's Business Fair was "overwhelming." More than 500 people attended the fair, which Chen said helped her realize that the demand for such an event was great in Naperville.

She said, "It's an experience that isn't provided at the elementary and middle school levels in our district, and so, we were determined to expand the fair to give even more kids this unique opportunity this year.'

The 2022 Naperville Children's Business Fair will feature kidpreneurs between the ages of five and 14 years old, selling jewelry, baked goods, charms, phone cases, hiking sticks East Asian street food and other goodies.

Will Lardner, 14, will have a booth at the fair selling stickers, handmade wire-wrapped jewelry and other items from his Etsy shop, Wills Crafty Creations. Lardner told Patch he "enjoyed learning about other people's businesses" at the 2021 fair and that he's "excited" to take part in the 2022 fair and see all the additional businesses.

Chen told Patch she's also looking forward to seeing other kidpreneurs promoting their businesses at the fair.

"[L]ast year, the excitement of all the kidpreneurs on fair day made the months of planning and work behind the fair worth it, and I'm just so excited to see the real impact the fair will have on our participants."

Chen was bitten by the business bug at just 11 years old, when she opened an Etsy shop called PurpleFishArt. She came up with the idea for the Naperville Children's Business Fair after taking part in a business fair for children in Oak Park when she was 12 years old.

"I figured, why not host one myself," Chen told Patch in 2021.

This year, Chen says she's hopeful the Naperville Children's Business Fair will continue to inspire children to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams and inspire community members to embrace and celebrate the work of kidpreneurs.

"As with last year's event, I hope the community learns to not underestimate the ability of kids. If you give them the right opportunities, kids can do things adults never expect they can."

She added, "Entrepreneurship is one of the best experiences you'll have as a kid - even if you're not going into business in the future, it teaches you so many valuable life lessons. Most of all, believe in yourself. It's not going to be easy, but it sure is going to be worth it."

What: Naperville Children's Business Fair

When: Aug. 6 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Where: Naperville Central High School, 440 Aurora Ave., Naperville