Children's Business Fair Unrivaled Success!

Thirty young business entrepreneurs, ranging in age from 6-14, competed for prizes Saturday, Oct. 16, at the first Children’s Business Fair presented by the Rotary Club of Weston and Wayland. Hundreds of parents and children attended the event held at the Weston Art & Innovation Center.

Avril, Abbey and Ava Ocampo of Weston, proprietors of Three Sisters Food & Co. took home the Chairman’s Award and a $50 prize as well as the award for Most Impressive Presentation in the 11-12 age group.

 
“When we couldn’t go to camp because of COVID,” said Ava Ocampo “we had to find something to entertain us and since we have two sewing machines and we like to sew whenever we can, we decided to make tote bags and aprons and other things. And we liked running a business,” she added. The three young entrepreneurs were ready for all forms of payment – cash, credit and even Venmo in exchange for candied apples, tote bags and aprons.

Other young awardees receiving $25 each included Ollie Goldstein of Weston, owner of Mystery Monsters who won the Most Creative Award in the 9-10 age group, and Ellie Katz owner of El’s Collage, who won the Most Impressive Presentation in the 13-14 age group.

 
Wayland residents were also winners. Charles Nicholson of Wayland, creator of Cochituate Woodworks, won the award for Most Creative Presentation in the 11-12 year old category and Francesca Zielmbo of Handmade by Frankie! won the award for Most Creative Presentation in the 13-14 age group. Julie and Ellie Frenzel of Junyi’s Jewelry won the Most Business Potential Award in the 11-12 age group. The Frenzel girls plan to donate their proceeds to ENAT, the Enhanced Nutrition and Antenatal Infection Treatment program for Material and Child Health in Ethiopia. Each received $25.

Hadicha Rashanovs of Natick, owner of Cards with Love won the Most Business Potential Award in the 6-8 years old age group. Amara Shorter of Amara’s Super Store in Waltham, won the Most Creative Award for the 6-8 age group and Daniel Rosen of Lincoln won the Most Impressive Presentation award in the 6-8 age group.

Other young Weston entrepreneurs participating in the competition included Milena Faigel of Colorful Candles, Sajani and Simone Brown, of My Pilo, Samaira Sibal, Sammy’s Creations, Amelie Wohlfeld, owner of Sugar & Spice, Natalie Jacoby, owner of Weston Beads and Lucas and Cynthia Cai, who own Yoga Pants Sports and Fashion of Weston.

Other participants came from Acton, Brookline, Canton, Duxbury, Foxborough, Lexington, and Wellesley.

 
There were numerous sources of motivation for participation. “I wanted a $1500 Ipad”, said one young man, “and my parents told me to work for it.” Two participants planned to donate their proceeds to the Jimmy Fund and the Dana Cancer Research Institute.

Alex Faigel, a Weston Rotarian and founder of Dr. Dental, established the Children’s Business Fair to teach young people the skills needed to become tomorrow’s successful business leaders. In the words of one parent, “there aren’t many creative extracurricular options for local kids who don’t necessarily want to play sports.”

Each student presented their business products and services to a panel of eight judges who awarded points based on three criteria: Most Business Potential meaning the business that can produce the most gross and profit; Most Creative Idea, i.e. the most memorable and unique idea created in a compelling way; and Most Impressive Presentation.

Corporate Sponsors encouraging these young future business people were partner sponsors Atlantic Advisory Group and The Village Bank and Fair sponsors Dr. Dental, Zaazey, Max’is Creations, Carousel Family Fun Center, The Better Professional, Cambridge Trust.