Forty youngsters are ready to squeeze some money out of lemons as they join the North American-wide Lemonade Day this month.
The Black Diamond and Turner Valley youths have signed up for the inaugural Diamond Valley Lemonade Day to learn how to run their own business by setting up lemonade stands throughout their community June 11.
The idea originated in Houston, Texas in 2007.
Turner Valley father and town coun. Barry Crane is spearheading Diamond Valley Lemonade Day, piggybacking on Okotoks’ event, which got off the ground last year with more than 100 lemonade stands scattered throughout the community on June 13.
“They had a really successful year last year and are having even more success this year,” he said. “I thought the kids here are going to love this.”
Each young entrepreneur is required to approach a merchant in their community and ask permission to set up a stand in front of their business and borrow money to cover the cost of their materials, which they will pay back at the end of the day.
Participants receive materials that teach them how to develop a business plan and come up with unique ideas for their stand and lemonade to set them apart from others.
“It’s all about having fun and learning a little about business and giving back to the community,” Crane said, adding a portion of the proceeds must go to a charity.
Information sessions were held last month to help participants get started with their business plans and encourage them to approach merchants to secure a sponsor and location, said Crane.
“The kids have to do the talking, not the parents,” he said. “We want the kids to go in, shake their hands and make their pitch. It’s great for the kids to get to know the store owners as well.”
Participants must purchase a business license in their community for $2 to participate.
Crane said he decided to spearhead Lemonade Day in Diamond Valley after hearing Okotoks coun. Tanya Thorn talk about the success of the first Okotoks Lemonade Day.
“I really want to build it up here,” he said. “If it’s going to be an annual thing we want to make this as much of a success as possible and ride on those coattails. We really want to get exposure for the businesses and get kids involved in community.”
The Diamond Valley Chamber of Commerce contributed $2,000 towards Diamond Valley Lemonade Day to cover the cost of prizes, advertising and information packages for participants.
“We felt that it was a good fit because this is teaching kids entrepreneurship skills and it involves our business owners,” said chamber president Bev Geier. “We just thought it was a great way to spend our money.”
During the chamber’s annual general meeting in February, Geier told merchants they would likely have children approach them looking for mentors and locations for their lemonade stands.
“What better way can a young person learn the steps that it takes to become a business,” she said.
“I can see that this can grow with businesses wanting kids every year and probably even collaborating throughout the year.”
Geier said Diamond Valley Lemonade Day benefits participating businesses.
“It just makes the business stand out more when the kids are saying come get your lemonade here,” she said.
“Everybody will be looking for these lemonade stands so it will be more awareness of businesses in town.”
Maps showing the locations of the lemonade stands will be available at turnervalley.ca and town.blackdiamond.ab.ca on June 8.
Okotoks also hosts its second annual Lemonade Day on June 11.
