Talking to people. That is 9-year-old Rayed Siddiqui’s favorite part of having his own business. The young Redmond resident set up shop for the first time at the annual Seattle Acton Business Fair at Crossroads Mall in Bellevue on Aug. 31.

Rayed was one of 20 other youth entrepreneurs participating in the annual business fair. This was the third annual fair at Crossroads.

Rayed’s business, Bricks and Beyond, featured Lego structures in the the form of letters and phrases like “smile.” He also sold colorful soaps in the shape of Legos and robots. Each structure takes about 50 minutes or more, according to Rayed. For his first year setting up shop, Rayed said it was easier than he expected. He donated 25 percent of his earnings to Open Kitchen in Redmond.

Sister duo, Sofia Osmanbhoy and Aaliya Osmanbhoy also participated in the business fair. Their business, Bumblebee Boutique, featured bright jewelry for all ages, up-cycled jean purses and stuffies. This was the second year the Redmond residents participated in the fair. Aaliya, 14, said she became interested in jewelry making about four years ago when she won a jewelry-making kit. She said they started replenishing the jewelry and started experimenting with other things.

“We ended up with a full rack full of jewelry and realized we had to do something about it,” 12-year-old Sofia said.

Bumblebee Boutique also donated 25 percent of their earnings to Open Kitchen in Redmond.

Redmond sister duo, Sofia (left) and Aaliya Osmanbhoy sold jewelry, up-cycled jean purses and stuffies at the business fair on Aug. 31. Stephanie Quiroz/staff photo

The business fair is one of the largest entrepreneurship events for kids in North America. The goal is to provide a platform for youth to become entrepreneurs for a day. Kids, ages 6-18, sell their products to customers at a one-day marketplace. Participants develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy and then open for customers.

To learn more about Acton Business Fair, visit www.childrensbusinessfair.org/seattle.

From left, Kaavya Manam, Emerson Schrider and Ellen Chang of Happy Bubbles sold handmade bath and body products at the Children’s Business Fair in Bellevue on Aug. 31. Stephanie Quiroz/staff photo

A customer buys a candle from Ciara Reddy’s candle business on Aug. 31. Stephanie Quiroz/staff photo