Have you ever seen a 10-year-old negotiate product margins, rethink branding strategy, and pivot to a new product based on customer feedback – all before lunch?

I have.

And it wasn’t in some Shark Tank fantasy camp. It happened right here in Round Rock, Texas, at the ESTEAM Academy Children’s Business Fair. This is their 8th fair.

We just wrapped up a very special episode of Rock Solid, where I sat down with several of the young entrepreneurs who’ll be showcasing their businesses at the upcoming Fair on April 12th. And let me tell you, if you think kids today are distracted and directionless, you’re looking in the wrong places.

Let’s get real.

Most schools still teach kids to memorize facts, follow instructions, and wait for permission. Business, on the other hand, teaches something entirely different. It teaches ownership. Risk. Feedback. Adaptability. Empathy. Creativity. Communication.

It teaches real life.

Linnae started out selling rocks she found in her grandparent’s backyard. Grace made donuts and sold out, until the name “Mushroom Donuts” confused people into thinking they were, well, mushroom flavored. These aren’t failures. These are data points. Moments of insight. The kind of insights most adults spend thousands of dollars and a couple gray hairs trying to get.

Katie’s making movie-themed chocolate. Emeric is melting down broken crayons and giving discounts to customers who donate old ones. That’s not just adorable. That’s brand narrative, sustainability, and value proposition all rolled into one.

What do these kids have in common?

They’re not scared to try. They’re learning by doing. They’re testing ideas, adjusting messaging, listening to customers, and yes, making a little profit along the way.

Which brings me to the point:

Entrepreneurship builds better humans.

It builds clarity. “Is this product something people actually want or just something I think is cool?”

It builds confidence. “I made this. I sold it. People liked it.”

It builds communication. “How do I pitch this in 30 seconds so a stranger cares enough to stop and listen?”

It builds compassion. “How can I brighten someone’s day with what I made?”

The Children’s Business Fair isn’t just a weekend event. It’s a mirror. It shows kids what they’re capable of when they take the wheel. It’s also a lens. It lets us see their potential in high resolution.

And yes, I’ll be there again this year as one of the judges. It’s one of the highlights of my calendar.

So here’s my ask:

If you’re a parent, bring your kid.

If you’re a business owner, come support the next generation of doers.

If you’re a kid with a wild idea and a backpack full of crayons or cupcakes, show up and sell.

Let them make mistakes. Let them figure it out. Let them learn how to read the room, adjust their offer, and deliver with pride. These are not just kids. These are entrepreneurs in beta.

The next Steve Jobs might be melting crayons right now. Please note that kids are not able to just show up and pop up a booth. There is a whole application process which is currently closed. Please come see the fair this year and hopefully your young entrepreneur can participate in their own booth next year.

See you April 12th, 2025.

Let’s build something.