By Yassira Huarcaya
Last week, we celebrated the third edition of the Children’s Business Fair, a beautiful project that first came to us through an email, and that we’ve embraced and brought to life since 2023. We began our very first fair with 20 ventures, most of them led by children from Tinkuy. From the start, it drew in many curious visitors, family and friends who were moved and amazed by a fair entirely run by children.
By 2024, the fair had grown. Word had spread among families connected to Tinkuy, and others, intrigued by the idea, joined in. That year, we hosted 22 ventures, half from Tinkuy, and half from beyond. We added special touches: welcome bags, stickers, and cards that greeted each participant with care. We made sure to thoughtfully communicate with all the young entrepreneurs about their tables and the space they’d have, always trying to improve, one detail at a time.
This year, we bloomed. We found a bigger venue and welcomed 34 ventures, represented by 51 young business owners. We gave both the jury and participants a rubric to help guide the evaluations and shared resources with families to support them through what is often the most challenging part, learning to let go and trust. We refined many of the details that we had overlooked before.
Because, more than a showcase of children’s ventures, this fair is about autonomy. And autonomy, in its purest form, comes with risk: with mistakes, with frustration, and with the beautiful, messy process of learning to find your own way. When we, as adults, release control and truly believe in the capacities of children, magic happens. But that path, especially for us grown-ups (myself included), asks us to grow, too.
Letting go, trusting, isn’t easy. It’s terrifying at times. “I’ll let go, but… what if they fail? What if they feel disappointed? What if they get frustrated? What if they can’t handle it?” These questions whisper in our minds. But the truth is, these moments are mirrors, and they gently call us to examine our own fears.
On the day of the fair, I saw something extraordinary. I saw adults doing their best to step back, to chat, to walk around, to observe quietly from a distance, resisting the urge to step in. Choosing, instead, to accompany without controlling. And I saw the children rise to the occasion. They owned their spaces. They set up, decorated, and prepared themselves for the long day ahead. Many even lovingly asked their “mapaches” (as we warmly refer to the parents in Tinkuy) to respect their space and not interfere.
Throughout the day, each child found their own pace. They discovered limits, followed their rhythms, and listened to their bodies when they needed to rest or eat. It was inspiring to witness how confidently they presented their products, how thoughtfully they interacted with the jury, how boldly they stepped up to the microphone to share their ideas. You could tell, they knew their work deeply, because they had been part of it from the very beginning.
As the fair came to a close, we watched the young entrepreneurs receive the results, with joy, with disappointment, with grace. Some cried, and found comfort in one another. Some beamed with pride, while their friends celebrated alongside them, even if they didn’t win. Some felt frustration, but moved through it with calm and care. These are the real gifts, social and emotional tools that will serve them for life.
We ended the fair with a celebration: with music, recognition, gifts, and a survey to help us keep learning and improving. We want to give special thanks to the Watchers, the Ascend Pumas, who respectfully and clearly helped uphold the rules of the contest. And to the Tinkuy team, thank you for your energy, your heart, and all your help leading up to and during the big day.
We hope this event continues to grow, reaching more and more families, so they, too, can discover the wonder of what happens when adults learn to let go, and children are trusted to shine.
