Annabelle Larabee and Evie Myers learned a valuable lesson in business on Saturday during the third annual Prairie Fox Books Children’s Business Fair in Ottawa.

Since they were the only two stores on the north side of Main Street, the two put up a sign together at the corner of La Salle and Main Street to draw customers’ attention to their stores, Annabelle’s Arnold Palmers and RAE Creations USA. The sign worked because customers came down the block.

The kid-run shops were just two of 30 in downtown Ottawa on Saturday selling everything from food and beverages to homemade jewelry and other items. The kids’ business fair featured pop-up shops run by children ages 5 to 14.

The young entrepreneurs were tasked with developing a brand, creating a product or service, and developing a marketing strategy. The Children’s Business Fair provided participants with the opportunity to meet customers. The program aims to inspire the next generation of business owners by providing them with a safe environment to showcase and sell their products.

Larabee’s business idea of ​​making “Arnold Palmers” from lemonade and iced tea was a perfect fit for an afternoon with almost 30 degrees.

“I like helping my mom,” said Larabee, whose mother works in the hospitality industry. “It’s very nice to work with customers.”

Myers, of Plainfield, ran RAE Creations USA, a store that sold energy crystal spheres and necklaces. Myers visits a crystal store almost every day and said that’s what sparked her interest. Her father found the store at the fair and they decided to give it a try.

“I love connecting with customers and talking to people,” Myers said.

Seventh-graders Sophia Sly and Peyton Woods of Earlville ran their business, Owl Post, which sold bracelets and keychains, among other items, and also made custom items. They said they ran a similar business to raise money for their school.

“We asked our customers to drop a jellybean at the Harry Potter wizarding schools to count how many customers we had today,” Woods said while making a custom bracelet for a customer, noting that they wanted to keep their business fun and market themselves with a Harry Potter theme.

Thaila and Ana Elisa Scheick of Leland are no strangers to entrepreneurship. The duo have attended every business fair and have their own social media page where they sell bracelets, keychains, corner bookmarks and magnets year-round under the name Star Designs.

“I learned a lot about how the business works,” said Ana Elisa Scheick. “I learned how to build a connection with customers.”

“It’s work,” Thaila added. “We spend most of the school year making everything to sell.”

Nevaeh Lucas from Ottawa said she loves making bracelets after school and decided to turn her hobby into Navaeh’s Creations. In addition to bracelets, she also made her own hand sanitizer with glitter.

“I love making bracelets and when I decided to go into business for myself, I started making a lot of them to make some money,” Lucas said.

Grant Maierhofer also learned the value of marketing on Saturday when he showcased his business, Maierhofer Farms, where he sells flowers and plants. Maierhofer held Peach, a live chicken from the farm. Maierhofer told the story of how Peach was bullied by the other chickens, which caused many customers to stop and visit the store.

Maierhofer said the most valuable lesson he learned Saturday was “Don’t be shy.” Peach wasn’t shy and had her picture taken with customers throughout the day.

New this year, children set up their businesses on downtown sidewalks. The previous fair was held in Washington Square. Passes and cards of all participating businesses were available at Prairie Fox Books, and shoppers collected signatures from the young entrepreneurs on their passes for a chance to win a prize of products from downtown Ottawa businesses.

Saturday’s children’s businesses were Kourtney’s Kollages by Kourtney Brauhn, Keychain Land, Bella’s Workshop, Aidan’s Noteworthy Gifts, Maierhofer Farms, AMEN Acres, Willow’s Wonders, Hawleywood Accessories, Owl Post, Star Designs, Artisique, AW Designs, Addy’s Tasty Treats, Cool Boaz , Blue Eye Bracelets, Buzz Buzz Designs, Crafty Kitty, Callan’s Casual Crafts, Better Together Crafts, Jane’s Recycled Pet Toys, Alex Reed Studios, Navaeh’s Creations, OPK Designs, RAE Creations USA, Annabelle’s Arnold Palmers, Nia’s CrochetAway, Meaty Treaties, AOE Landscaping, Vivienne’s Pencils & More and Sheepie Farm Designs.