Coaching & Judging

Important Dates

Children's Business Fair, June 7, 2025 

  • 9:00-9:45 Setup
    (Judges please arrive by 10:00 am)

  • 9:45-10:00 Starting Ceremony

  • 10:00-1:00 Fair open to the public

  • 1:30 Closing/Awards

  • 1 to 1 Coaching

    • At Chisholm Creek Academy
      6000 NW 120th Ct. Oklahoma City OK 73162

      • Sunday, April 13, 2:00-5:00 - Pitch your idea, fine-tune your business idea,and work on your “elevator pitch.”

      • Saturday, May 10, 9:00-12 @ CCA mentor 1:1s Sign up time - practice your presentation, get more business set up tips.

Thank you for considering coaching at this year's Children's Business Fair!
We are incredibly grateful for those who choose to invest their time and wisdom in these young entrepreneurs. Your guidance will make a lasting impact as they explore the world of business.

Sign up Here to officially apply for a Coaching or Judge position

Guidelines for Coaching

Chisholm Creek Academy wholeheartedly believes in the Socratic method of teaching. This means that as a coach, you should NEVER provide direct answers. Instead, ask thoughtful questions that guide the learner or entrepreneur toward discovering the answers themselves. Discovery is far more powerful and lasting than simply retaining information that someone else provides.

When coaching, remember that this is not about sharing the hard-won lessons that shaped you as a business owner — it's about helping them uncover their own insights. Ask powerful, open-ended questions that encourage reflection and problem-solving.

It can be tempting to steer them toward the answer you think is right. But at Chisholm Creek Academy, we value the lessons that come from failure. We are comfortable with — and even encourage — failure when it's safe, manageable, and meaningful. Now is the time for them to stumble, adapt, and grow, gaining the resilience and wisdom to succeed in the future.

Focus Areas for Coaching

The judges will evaluate businesses in three key areas. Please help the entrepreneurs think critically about their business by exploring the following:

  1. Preparation

    • How did you come up with the idea?

    • Who is your target audience, and why did you choose them?

  2. Profitability

    • What were your production costs?

    • How much time did you spend making the product?

    • Did you have any help?

    • What is your profit margin?

  3. Future Growth

    • If your business takes off, what are your plans for expansion?

    • How can you reach new customers?

    • What new products or services might you offer?

Thank you once again for your willingness to serve as a coach at this year’s Children's Business Fair. Your guidance and thoughtful questions will empower these young entrepreneurs to think critically, take risks, and grow from their experiences. By encouraging them to discover their own solutions and embrace the lessons that come from both success and failure, you are helping to shape the next generation of business leaders. We are incredibly grateful for your time and dedication — your impact will reach far beyond this event.