Two Kansas cities are recognizing the creativity, leadership, and contributions of young entrepreneurs—and inviting the community to celebrate.
What if we stopped telling children they could become entrepreneurs someday and started recognizing the entrepreneurs they already are?
This week, two Kansas cities did exactly that.
The City of Goddard and the City of Wichita have officially proclaimed November 21, 2026, as Child Entrepreneurs’ Day, recognizing the initiative, creativity, leadership, and meaningful contributions of children who are already developing and operating their own businesses.
For The Society of Child Entrepreneurs (SoCE), these proclamations are more than ceremonial recognition. They represent a growing acknowledgment that children have something valuable to contribute to their communities right now.
Two Cities Recognize the Power of Child Entrepreneurship
On October 19, the City of Goddard presented its official proclamation, signed by Mayor George W. Liebe. The proclamation recognizes the entrepreneurial achievements of local children, the importance of hands-on business experiences, and SoCE’s continued work within the Goddard community.
On October 20, the City of Wichita joined the celebration with a proclamation signed by Mayor Lily Wu, recognizing the financial literacy, communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills children develop through entrepreneurship.
Both proclamations also recognize the upcoming Children’s Business Fair on November 21, organized by SoCE in partnership with the Wichita Flea Market.
Together, these recognitions send an important message: children are capable of contributing to the economic and social vitality of their communities long before adulthood.
More Than a Lemonade Stand
When many adults think about child entrepreneurship, they picture lemonade stands, bake sales, or handmade crafts.
And those are wonderful places to start.
But behind every child-run business is an opportunity to develop skills that extend far beyond making a sale.
A child who decides how to price a product is practicing financial decision-making.
A child who introduces their business to an unfamiliar customer is developing communication skills and confidence.
A child whose original idea doesn’t work is learning to adapt, solve problems, and try again.
And a child who earns their first dollar from something they created is discovering that their ideas can have real value.
These experiences matter.
At The Society of Child Entrepreneurs, we believe children deserve opportunities to participate meaningfully in the world around them—not simply prepare to participate someday.
Entrepreneurship provides an accessible, hands-on way for children to exercise independence, develop leadership, and contribute to their communities.
Why November 21?
November is recognized nationally as National Entrepreneurship Month, and November 21 falls at the conclusion of Global Entrepreneurship Week 2026.
It’s an opportunity to recognize entrepreneurs of all ages while drawing special attention to the young people who are already creating businesses, pursuing ideas, and learning to lead.
For SoCE, Child Entrepreneurs’ Day is an annual celebration of those accomplishments.
The proclamations from Wichita and Goddard make this year’s celebration particularly meaningful.
Both cities have formally recognized the achievements of young entrepreneurs and encouraged their communities to support them.
Now it’s time to put that recognition into action.
Celebrate at the Children’s Business Fair!
On Saturday, November 21, The Society of Child Entrepreneurs will host its annual Child Entrepreneurs’ Day Business Fair in partnership with the Wichita Flea Market.
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026
- Time: 12:00–5:00 PM
- Location: Century II Expo Hall, 225 W. Douglas Ave., Wichita, Kansas
- Participants: Child entrepreneurs ages 6–17
- Admission: Wichita Flea Market admission applies; children 12 and under enter free
Young business owners will have the opportunity to operate their own booths, sell products and services, interact with customers, and demonstrate the creativity and determination behind their businesses.
For shoppers, it’s an opportunity to discover unique products while directly supporting the development of young entrepreneurs.
For the children participating, it is something even more important: an authentic marketplace experience where their ideas, decisions, and efforts matter.
Every purchase, conversation, and encouraging word helps make that experience meaningful.
A Community That Believes in Children
We are grateful to Mayor George Liebe, Mayor Lily Wu, the Cities of Goddard and Wichita, and the many community partners, families, educators, and supporters who recognize the importance of youth entrepreneurship.
These proclamations recognize the children themselves—their creativity, their initiative, their leadership, and their capacity to make a difference.
And that’s worth celebrating.
As we look toward November 21, we invite our community to do more than applaud these young entrepreneurs.
Come meet them. Ask about their businesses. Shop their products. Listen to their ideas.
Because the strongest message we can send a young entrepreneur isn’t simply that they have a bright future.
It’s that we believe in what they’re capable of today.
Learn more about Child Entrepreneurs’ Day and the Children’s Business Fair:
https://www.childrensbusinessfair.org/goddard-kansas
The Society of Child Entrepreneurs is a nonprofit organization empowering children ages 6–17 through entrepreneurship, leadership, and real-world learning experiences.
Ignite. Empower. Lead.
