Meadowbrook Mall is hosting a unique event aimed at nurturing and rewarding the minds and ideas of prospective young entrepreneurs. On April 13, the mall will hold the 1^st Annual Bridgeport Children’s Business Fair with opportunity for up to 75 young entrepreneurs to earn cash prizes.

 

“The Children’s Business Fair program is a perfect fit for Meadowbrook Mall,” said Marketing Director Robin Urquhart. “It targets families and is centered around developing young retail entrepreneurs.”

 

Children ages 6 through 14 who are interested in participating are encouraged to submit applications by March 22 with their ideas for a product or service to be created, a brand to be developed or a marketing strategy to build. Approved participants will create a setup to be displayed at the mall beginning 10 a.m. April 13. The public will be invited to visit each child’s setup and to make a purchase from the young entrepreneurs! Participants are responsible for the setup, sales and interacting with customers without assistance from adults.

 

Judging will take place in four age groups: 6-7, 8-10, 11-12 and 13-14. Cash prizes of $50 will be awarded in each of the age groups in three different categories: “Most Business Potential,” “Most Creative Idea” and “Most Impressive Presentation.” Winners will be announced and prizes will be awarded at 1 p.m.

 

Machelle and Dan Cava, owners of Dan Cava Toyota, Dan’s Car World and Dan Cava Buick GMC Cadillac will provide the $600 in cash prizes and are serving as event sponsor. It was Machelle Cava who came up with the creative idea to hold a one-day children’s business fair.

“She brought the idea to me last year and we have been working to make it happen since then,” Urquhart said. “We are so excited to host this event. It just exemplifies Dan Cava Toyota’s and Meadowbrook Mall’s ongoing commitment to growing our communities.”

Also serving as event sponsors are Gorilla Strength & Fitness, Acton Academy, the Acton School of Business and Meadowbrook Mall.

 

“We all believe that principled entrepreneurs are heroes and role models for the next generation,” Urquhart said. “The event is designed as an opportunity for young minds to innovate and become retail entrepreneurs.”

 

Serving as judges are local entrepreneurs: Victoria Simon from Almost Heaven Desserts, Brandi Post from Main Street Fitness, John Halterman of Beacon Wealth Management, Michael Malfregeot of Premier Bank, Lamont Helm from In the Cut Barbershop, Monica Gorrell of Homefinders Plus Real Estate, Mike Tressler, who has Four Horsemen Gaming & Comics and Boardwalk Arcade & Confections and Kellie Snyder from Snyder Strength and Fitness Personal Training.

 

Potential participants and their families are encouraged to attend a Registration Launch event on Sat., March 9, from 12-5 p.m. at Meadowbrook Mall.  Application packets will be available during the launch event and representatives will be present to answer questions.

More detailed information is also available on Meadowbrook Mall’s Web site, www.meadowbrookmall.comand on the mall’s Facebook page under “Events.” Applications will also be available in the Meadowbrook Mall office during regular office hours, Mon.-Fri. from 8:30 a.m. through 5 p.m.