When was the last time you bought a glass of lemonade from a lemonade stand? For me it was just yesterday and before that it was just a few weeks ago. Let me explain how this came about. The sun is out on a hot Saturday afternoon in October, no doubt an effect of climate change. Two teenagers, determined to earn some extra cash, quickly set up a white foldable table with two plastic chairs on the corner of a busy neighborhood intersection. The setting is a small suburban town called Millbrae, CA. One of the boys is my son Ethan, the other his childhood friend Luis. This is not, so to speak, their first rodeo.
A white Tesla slows as the driver considers stopping but does not. The two grab their weathered cardboard sign which says, “Lemonade!, $1.00 a glass.” Luis sits it on his lap, poised to hold it up for the next car. A tall leaning stack of oversized red plastic cups are set on the table. They are ready.
– the kind you see football players drinking from- calls immediate attention to itself. “Don’t forget to put on sunblock!” I tell Ethan, waving as I drive by. It’s probably the last thing they are thinking, but ironically the most important. 20 minutes later I surprise them with a drive by, pulling up fast, curbside. “Any sales yet guys?” I ask, expecting them to say at least $5.00. “No,” comes the dejected answer. “Well, it’s only been about 15 minutes guys!”
I never did a lemonade stand 🙁 but will definitely swing by next time to get one from this stand !!
I have fond memories of sitting be hind a table in the summer hoping for a sale.
Location. Location. Location.
Right?!
My mom’s neighbors set up their “shop” on the 29th Ace. & Lawton corner in SF at least once a week, displaying their colorful signage & selling snowcones, lemonade, hot chocolate, etc. (whatever the weather warranted) and constantly had customers supporting their efforts. One would run a fistful of cash home for safekeeping. It was a brilliant business plan. I make it a point to patronize young entrepreneurs. Glad your son is one of them. Thx for sharing the story.
I love the phrase fistful of cash. I may need to share the idea of hot chocolate now as it gets colder! Thanks for sharing Bernadette!
I love the entrepreneurialism that these boys have! I do a Classroom City in my class and we focus a lot on the concept of business, making plans and marketing! Real world lessons are the best! Thanks for sharing!
Growing up in Flatbush Brooklyn, yes, I had a lemonade stand with my brothers. Fond memories for sure. I’m proud of grandson Ethan and his friend Luis working hard on a hot day to bring relief to customers, and at a reasonable price. Yaa!