“La Grande Journée des Petits Entrepreneurs”: Inspiring Young Minds
This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please see our full disclosure for further information.For the first time, my daughter and I had the opportunity to participate in “La Grande Journée des Petits Entrepreneurs” or The Big Day of Young Entrepreneurs, translated in english. This event is a wonderful way for kids to learn about business and develop their entrepreneurial skills. Not only do they get to learn about the basics of running a business, but they also get to develop important skills such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork.
The event is open to kids all across Quebec, Canada between the ages of 5 and 17, and it encourages them to think outside the box and come up with new business ideas.
For this event, my 5 year old daughter decided to created these adorable soap bars made with goat milk in the shape of dinosaurs, cars, unicorns, and sea horses. But here’s the best part: each soap comes with a surprise inside, making handwashing an exciting and magical experience for kids! With her business idea, her goal was to encourage kids to wash their hands more often and develop healthy hygiene habits in a fun and playful way.
Before she came up with the idea of these soap bars, my daughter initially had the idea to create science boxes. She’s always had a deep love for science and experimentation, and she wanted to create a science-themed box that would allow kids to engage in hands-on learning and exploration. However, finding the right ingredients and materials for safe and enjoyable experiments was a bit challenging for her.
But then, inspiration struck! She realized that she could incorporate her scientific curiosity into the soap-making process. By mixing different colors and molding the soap into various shapes, she discovered that creating these soap bars itself became a mini science experiment for her. It was a perfect blend of her passion for science and the fun, playful aspect of soap-making.
About the Event
La Grande Journée des Petits Entrepreneurs is a one-day event that takes place every June. During this event, kids can set up their own business for a day. They can sell products or services, such as lemonade, crafts, or car washing. Kids can choose to set up their business in front of their house, in a park, or at a designated location all across Quebec (We chose to set up our booth at Duo Laval, a shopping center.) .
The event is open to all kids in Quebec, regardless of their background or experience. It’s a great opportunity for kids to learn about entrepreneurship, creativity, and problem-solving. The event is also an excellent way for kids to meet new people, make new friends, and have fun exploring other businesses.
Date and Time
“La Grande Journée des Petits Entrepreneurs” is an annual event that takes place on the first Saturday of June. This year, the event was held on June 3, 2023, from 10 am to 3 pm.
How to Register
Registration for this event typically opens in the beginning of February. However, it’s important to keep an eye on the official website (Since we’re in Quebec, website is in French) petitsentrepreneurs.ca for the event, as registration dates may vary from year to year. However, it’s important to note that spaces at designed location are limited, so it’s important to register as soon as possible to ensure your spot.
Once registered, you will receive online guidelines that help your kids understand the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and how to set up their own business. These guidelines cover various aspects such as choosing a business idea, creating a business plan, determining product or service offerings, setting prices, managing finances, and promoting their new business.
One of the valuable resources provided to the all participants is a free 1 year Premium Plan ECommerce website at webself.net (I believe it’s only free from February until June).
This platform allows children to create their own professional-looking websites without requiring any prior coding or design knowledge. The website serves as a virtual storefront where the young entrepreneurs can showcase their products or services, provide information about their businesses, and even make sale to customers before the event starts. Having an online presence through a website not only enhances their visibility but also helps them develop essential digital skills.
This platform allows children to create their own professional-looking websites without requiring any prior coding or design knowledge. The website serves as a virtual storefront where the young entrepreneurs can showcase their products or services, provide information about their businesses, and even make sale to customers before the event starts. Having an online presence through a website not only enhances their visibility but also helps them develop essential digital skills.
On The Day Of The Event
On the day of the event, participants were required to arrive 1 hour early to set up their booths. Each booth was provided with a table and chairs, and participants were allowed to decorate their booths as they wished.
We chose to set up our booth in a shopping center – DUO Center Laval, a Cominar property
After the event
From her sales, my daughter was ready to make some exciting task of deciding what to do next. Among the 4 choices available to her (She came up with these choices herself) – investing her money, saving for a vacation, purchasing a go kart, or buying books – what do you think she has decided to do with all that hard-earned money?
I wanted to respect her autonomy and allow her to make her own decision, considering it was her hard work that led to the sale in the first place. After careful reflection, she decided to go with…
Overall, “La Grande Journée des Petits Entrepreneurs” is the perfect event that truly empowers kids and allows them to shine as young entrepreneurs. It’s not only a great opportunity for them to showcase their entrepreneurial skills but also a fun and educational experience that sparks their creativity and helps them develop valuable business skills.
Personally, I couldn’t be happier with my daughter’s participation in this event. Seeing her excitement and enthusiasm as she set up her own small business was truly heartwarming. The event provided her with a safe and supportive platform to explore her entrepreneurial interests, and she learned so much from the experience. It was amazing to see her grow in confidence, learn about the various aspects of running a business and understand the value of money.
We are already counting down the days until next year’s event! My daughter is super excited about it and has already begun brainstorming ideas for her next business venture or perhaps she will keep running her current business “Savonnerie Mini Mousse“.
Remember, by supporting young entrepreneurs today is more than just a gesture – it’s an investment in the future. By encouraging and empowering kids to explore their entrepreneurial potential, we are shaping the leaders and change-makers of tomorrow. Let’s come together and make a difference by supporting events like “La Grande Journée des Petits Entrepreneurs”. Together, we can create a world where young minds are inspired, nurtured, and given the tools they need to succeed in life!
Nadia
Oh wow! That is absolutely amazing! I love how you’re teaching your daughter about business and entrepreneurship from an early age!
Linhy Banh
Thank you so much! I believe introducing entrepreneurship early can be beneficial for kids’ development.
Candace Mack
Fantastic site. Lots of helpful information here. I am sending it to some friends ans additionally sharing in delicious. And of course, thanks for your effort!
Linhy Banh
Hello Candace,
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m glad you found the information helpful. Sharing is caring, and I appreciate you spreading the word about my site. Your support means a lot!