This past Sunday was a very hot day here in Dallas, so what better time to have a refreshing cold drink.
Fortunately, my next door neighbor gave me the scoop on some great lemonade stands being set up in multiple locations around the city. I learned that these stands are part of National Lemonade Day. National Lemonade Day is a program designed to teach kids the skills necessary to start, own and operate their own business. Which in this case is the obvious—a lemonade stand.
Kids register via the organization’s website http://lemonadeday.org/ and with the help of a mentor, such as a teacher or other adult volunteer, are taught a program of 14 lessons on entrepreneurship. Then they open their own lemonade stand.
My understanding is that some of the kids have investors that contribute capital that is paid back out of the sale proceeds and the stand operators have to learn to plan, budget and set prices for their lemonade. The city and businesses provide stand locations and encourage customers to go visit the stands.
This is a great program for youth, and many schools don’t have the resources to offer curriculum of the nature. Next year I may volunteer to help, but for now I am going to ride my bike over to Trinity Groves and get a cold glass of lemonade.
James Mathis, managing partner of Echelon Investment Management, believes in enriching his clients’ lives by identifying, preserving and achieving their goals. Echelon partners with clients through every leg of their race ~ asset management, investment advice and retirement planning. Contact him at james.mathis@echelonim.com.
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