The second annual Naples Children’s Business Fair welcomed an impressive 1,200 attendees to peruse and shop young entrepreneurs’ businesses on Saturday, Jan. 11 at Gulf Coast High School. The fair had participation of 123 youth-run businesses with 211 student participants.

Presented by Barron Collier Companies, the Greater Naples Chamber’s Leadership Collier Foundation hosted the fair in partnership with Collier County Public Schools to give students the experience of entrepreneurship firsthand and sell their original products and services to the public. 

“This event is a great opportunity for youth in our community to get early exposure to the kinds of experience many business professionals wish they had had growing up,” said Nikkie Dvorchak, Naples Chamber vice president of events and development. “It was great to see students take their business plans and execute them from start to finish. We were blown away by the quality of their products, marketing, displays and salesmanship.  We are already looking forward to how this event will continue to grow next year.”

Throughout the day, attendees had the chance to vote for the “most original business idea,” “highest business potential,” and “most creative business.” Local leaders served as judges and awards were presented in five age groups, with one student awarded the “Sunshine Award” –which granted this year’s winner, Genevieve’s Art, a spot to display and sell her product in a local Sunshine Ace Hardware store.

First place winners also won the opportunity to spend the day with Barron Collier Companies CEO Blake Gable visiting different industries in Collier County and learn what it takes to run a successful business. 

2020 Winners:
Most Original Business: Storm Pet Toys
Benjamin Peterson, Max Varga, Jack Johnson, Macauley Ronninger
Highest Business Potential: VMC Designs
Vanessa Coakley
Most Creative: Bree Artiste
Bryana Hamilton
Sunshine Award: Genevieve’s Art
Genevieve Blitch
 
Age 6-7 Winners:
1st Place: Taralyn’s Treasures
Taralyn Thomas
2nd Place: Emma’s Sweet Art
Emma Vicas
3rd Place: Boo-Boo Buddies
Dawson Winge, Logan Grove, Janel Elwell
 
Age 8-10 Winners:
1st Place: John’s Woodworking
John Disser
2nd Place: Tuti’s Terrific Treasures
Sarah Dabees
3rd Place: S3 Creations
Ella Seidner, Mac Seidner, Devyn Seidner
 
Age 13-14 Winners:
1st Place – Colony Magic
Brady Sheperd
2nd Place –Water Pros
Justin Boggs
Kaiden Gabauer
Jonathan Regalado-Ramirez
Victoria Rizo-Nunez
3rd Place – Ready Cement Go!
Joshua Paul
Caleb Paul
Zach Paul
 
Age 11-12 Winners:
1st Place: Stache Your Slime
Sofie Ortiz
2nd Place: Jumba’s Cotton Candy
Julia Muller
Olivia Muller
3rd Place: Olivia’s Creation Station
Olivia Edwards
 
Age 15-17 Winners:
1st Place: Nagen Bakery
Carl Veus
Fanko Cardozo
Ezekiel  Ramirez
2nd Place: Jame’s LeSage Photography
James LeSage
3rd Place: ABC Boba Tea
Rebecca Pacter
Ally Pacter
Cathy Pacter

The Naples Chamber’s Leadership Collier Foundation will work with participants post-event to continue their professional growth, connect them with business leaders and provide support on their entrepreneurial journey.
For more information on the Naples Children’s Business Fair, visit www.napleschamber.org/cbf. 

The event was sponsored by Barron Collier Companies, Sunshine Ace Hardware, Arthrex, Naples Daily News, First Florida Integrity Bank, ACI Worldwide, Neapolitan Family, Keiser University, Wintrust Banking Center, Brown & Brown Insurance, Fieldr, Beasley Media, Sugar Shack and Florida Weekly.