Kid Entrepreneurship Competition
The SNHA Young Entrepreneur Contest gives homeschooled students ages 8–17 a real-world opportunity to develop, promote, and sell their product or service at the SNHA Resource Fair on June 30. Five students will be selected as official finalists and receive a free vendor spot at the Resource Fair. One student will be selected as the Grand Prize Winner.
This competition was created to help students build confidence, leadership, communication skills, problem-solving abilities, financial awareness, and real-world entrepreneurial experience in a supportive community environment.
Who Can Apply
Students must meet the following requirements:
- Ages 8–17
- Must be homeschooled
- Proof of homeschool required, such as NOI or approved homeschool documentation
- Parent or guardian approval required
- Must be available to attend the SNHA Resource Fair on June 30
How the Competition Works
Step 1 Written Essay- Students must submit a written essay explaining:
- Their business idea
- Why they started their business
- What product or service they offer
- Their future business goals
- Why they should be selected as a finalist
Step 2: Promotional Video- Students must submit a short promotional video introducing their product or service.
The video should help judges understand:
- The student’s personality
- Their business goals
- Their product or service
- Why customers should support them
Step 3: Finalist Selection- Only five students will be selected to move forward as official SNHA Young Entrepreneur Finalists.
Finalists will be notified directly by SNHA.
Step 4: Live Entrepreneur Experience
Finalists will participate LIVE at the SNHA Resource Fair on June 30.
Students will:
- Set up and run their own booth
- Sell to real customers
- Speak directly with attendees
- Handle money and transactions
- Explain their product or service
- Receive feedback from judges and attendees
One finalist will be selected as the Grand Prize Winner.
Student-Led Expectations
This is a student-led competition designed to help students develop real-world entrepreneurial, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
Students are expected to:
- Write their own essay
- Create their own promotional video
- Set up and manage their booth
- Speak directly with customers
- Handle sales and transactions
- Demonstrate professionalism and responsibility
Parents may supervise, guide, and assist with safety, but the overall business presentation and participation should primarily reflect the student’s own work, ideas, communication style, and effort. Because this competition is focused on authentic student growth and entrepreneurship, judges will also conduct in-person conversations and evaluations during the Resource Fair. If a student’s in-person interview, communication skills, product knowledge, or ability to explain their business significantly differs from the submitted essay or promotional video, points may be deducted. This helps maintain fairness and ensures the competition accurately reflects each student’s individual work and participation. The goal is not perfection, but genuine student involvement, learning, effort, and growth throughout the entrepreneurial process.
What Finalists Receive
All five finalists will receive:
- Free vendor spot at the SNHA Resource Fair
- Feature on the SNHA website
- Promotion across SNHA social media platforms
- Recognition as official SNHA Young Entrepreneur Finalists
- Real-world experience selling to customers
- Opportunity to compete for the Grand Prize of $500
Grand Prize
One student entrepreneur will receive:
- $500 Grand Prize to invest directly into their business, provided by EDKA Construction LLC to be spent on business growth expenses and entrepreneurial classes, materials or training.
- One year of direct access to entrepreneur Ed with EDKA Construction LLC for business questions, guidance, and advice
- Feature on the SNHA website, Newsletter & Social Media
- SNHA reposts and updates highlighting the winner’s business growth throughout the year
- Live winner announcement at the SNHA Resource Fair on June 30
About the Grand Prize Sponsor- EDKA Construction LLC
The owner of EDKA Construction LLC, entrepreneur Ed, started working in construction at just 18 years old. By the age of 23, he decided to build his own company from the ground up.
Without formal business education, he learned entrepreneurship through real-world experience, hard work, and years of studying topics such as customer service, leadership, taxes, marketing, communication, and business management while continuing to develop his skills in construction and building custom homes.
Through his journey, Ed realized entrepreneurship is a life skill and believes children should begin developing these skills early. His goal in supporting this competition is to help prepare students for real-world success and encourage the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Judging Criteria
Students may be evaluated on:
- Creativity and originality
- Strength of business idea
- Student effort and preparation
- Written essay
- Promotional video
- Booth presentation
- Communication skills
- Customer interaction
- Professionalism
- Ability to explain their product or service
- Entrepreneurial mindset
Judges’ decisions are final.
Product and Booth Guidelines
Students are responsible for:
- Providing their own products, supplies, displays, signs, packaging, and change
- Setting prices for their products or services
- Setting up and cleaning up their booth space
- Following venue and SNHA rules
- Ensuring products are safe, appropriate, and lawful
Products may be reviewed by SNHA before approval.
Prohibited Items
The following items are not permitted:
- Illegal products or services
- Weapons or weapon-related items
- Hazardous materials
- Explicit or inappropriate content
- Products using copyrighted or trademarked material without permission
- Misleading claims
- Unsafe food items or improperly handled food products
SNHA reserves the right to deny or remove any product, service, or booth that is unsafe, inappropriate, or not aligned with the mission of the organization.
Food Product Notice
Students selling food items may be required to follow applicable food safety rules and venue requirements. Parents are responsible for ensuring compliance with any food-related guidelines.
SNHA may request ingredient lists, allergen information, or packaging details before approval.
Media Consent
By applying, parents and guardians agree that Southern Nevada Homeschool Association may use submitted essays, videos, photos, and event media for promotional, educational, and marketing purposes, including website, newsletter, social media, and future event promotions.
Liability Disclaimer
Participation is voluntary.
Southern Nevada Homeschool Association, its board members, volunteers, sponsors, partners, affiliates, and venue providers are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged property, financial loss, product disputes, injuries, or other claims related to participation in the contest or Resource Fair.
Parents and guardians assume responsibility for their student’s participation, supervision, products, sales, and conduct.
Right to Modify or Cancel
SNHA reserves the right to modify contest rules, deadlines, judging criteria, finalist selection, prize details, event logistics, or participation requirements as needed.
SNHA also reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or reschedule the contest due to weather, venue issues, safety concerns, low participation, or other unforeseen circumstances.
Questions
For contest questions, applications, sponsorships, or partnership opportunities:
