Kids and Lemonade–Sweet Stories of Success

Eureka Girl Scouts made $500 in profit with their lemonade business.

Lemonade Day teaches kids how to be entrepreneurs by walking them step by step through a business plan. The goal of the organizers is “inspiring kids to work hard and make a profit.  In the process, the youth “are also taught to spend some, save some and share some by giving back to their community.”

Lemonade Day Press Release:

According to Lemonade Day organizers, on Saturday, June 1, Humboldt County residents bought about 5,000 cups of lemonade and spent almost $10,000 to help support aspiring young entrepreneurs. “Our participants sold an average of 60 cups per stand,” noted Susan Seaman, program director for the Arcata Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) and coordinator of Humboldt Lemonade Day. ”Which really shows how hard the kids worked and what a wonderfully supportive community we have here.”

According to Seaman, stands averaged gross receipts of over $120 and about 75 percent of the kids met their sales goals. About 90 percent of the stand operators also paid back their start up costs.

Seaman also noted that Humboldt County residents are known for their generous support of non-profits and local youth were no exception. “Seventy-three percent of the participants donated at least some of their profits to charity, totaling about $1,800. They sacrificed spending all of their money on games and other things they wanted in order to help local fire departments, animal shelters and more,” she said. “But most of them will also be making purchases for themselves. That’s all part of the process. Saving, sharing, paying your investor, and spending some. They worked hard. By spending some money on themselves, they get to see the benefit of their efforts.”

Humboldt Lemonade Day was supported in large part by AEDC and Decade of Difference. “Part of AEDC’s mission is to provide support to innovative business and community endeavors. Lemonade Day is one way to create and nurture a culture of entrepreneurship in Humboldt County. Decade of Difference is a perfect partner because our goals are so similar,” Seaman said.

Decade of Difference is a ten year community initiative designed to prepare local youth to be contributing and productive members in our society, community and economy. According to Heidi Moore, Decade of Difference Coordinator, Lemonade day was a perfect complement to the efforts of the Youth Entrepreneurship, Creativity, and Innovation Impact Area of the Decade of Difference. “Lemonade Day is a wonderful way for young people to explore what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur in a manner that is easy to understand and to execute. I had the pleasure of visiting many stands and was continually impressed by the poise of the young participants and the quality of their products,” Moore said.

Many local businesses, non-profits and community leaders also contributed to the success of Lemonade Day by supporting stands, mentoring participants and providing space for stands on June 1.

“We were very happy to be part of a program that educates youth how to run a business and same time gives back to the community,” said Ken Musante, a co-owner of Eureka payments. “This type of program prepares youth for entrepreneurship, or to be part of commercial enterprise in the area. But really, Lemonade Day provides fundamental skills that are helpful no matter what career path they chose.”

For more information about Lemonade Day, visit www.humboldt.lemonadeday.org or like North Coast Lemonade Day on Facebook.

LoCO recommends going to the Facebook site.  The kids’ stories and photos are inspiring.  Photos used in this article came from there.

Previously: Using a Lemonade Stand and Helping Kids Learn about Business