By Steven Gordon, Lemonade Day National President

Steven Gordon and Jim Clifton

“Lemonade Day works. You don't need to test it."

These are profound statements from Jim Clifton, chairman and chief executive officer of Gallup, captured at the inaugural executive briefing “Business Startup Challenges and Youth Entrepreneur Opportunities” that Lemonade Day co-hosted with Gallup at Gallup’s World Headquarters in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 16.  To view our video with highlights of this special event, please follow this link:  https://youtu.be/9szDvm1QthQ 

Jim Clifton is one of the best and most credible ambassadors for youth entrepreneurship and the power of Lemonade Day that I could ever hope to have.  Jim and the world-renowned Gallup organization were first introduced to Lemonade Day six years ago by a sharp George Washington University business student named Emily Massel.  Emily is the co-founder of Lemonade Day in the Washington, D.C., metro area.  Thanks to Emily’s initiative, Gallup is a major sponsor of Lemonade Day in the D.C. metro area.

L-R: Joe Daly, Emily Massel, Shahab Kaviani, Steven Gordon

Lemonade Day is poised for explosive growth.  Jim Clifton believes that millions of kids in 500 plus communities in America will be engaged in the Lemonade Day experience within the next decade. Furthermore, Jim predicts that Lemonade Day will be “contagious” and that youngsters all over the world will want to also get involved in Lemonade Day.  Every child in the world can have the opportunity to enjoy the “sweet success” that comes with planning and launching a business of their own at an early age.  Lemonade Day ignites the spark of entrepreneurship for youth, regardless of religion, culture or socioeconomic level.  Lemonade Day teaches youth important lessons that will equip them for life by hosting a lemonade stand in their community.  Lemonade business owners learn about business planning, product development, marketing, promotions, customer service, financial management, and charitable giving.

Rohit Srinivasan

I am proud to report that Lemonade Day is sprouting up all over the United States, Canada and South Africa. Hundreds—in fact, thousands—of Lemonade Day activities are happening now through August of this year. “Lemonade Season” begins with kick-off events in January of each year, followed by many contests such as Best Tasting Lemonade contests, which are then followed by Lemonade Day as youth launch their lemonade businesses in public areas, in front and inside of businesses, and in neighborhoods, ballparks, and places of worship.  

I love Lemonade Season, and I love Lemonade Day.

Lemonade Day works.  There is no need to test it.  Now is the time to get involved—as a mentor, volunteer, sponsor or City Champion.  Please get involved in the process of inspiring young people today to become business owners of tomorrow.  I welcome your questions and your comments.  Please feel free to email me at steven@lemonadeday.org. 

Thank you for your support!

About Lemonade Day

Founded in Houston in 2007 by Michael and Lisa Holthouse, Lemonade Day is a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching every child across North America the business and financial skills that are the key ingredients of entrepreneurship.  By learning these skills early in life, children will be better prepared to be successful, financially healthy adults.  Through our fun, hands-on program, kids K-5 are empowered to start their very own business—a lemonade stand—and experience the feeling of earning real money, using 100% of their profit to spend, save and share based on their own goals.

Lemonade Day is hosted in 66 territories in North America and growing. Over the past 10 years, we have served more than 1 million kids in our kid entrepreneur programs.

Visit LemonadeDay.org to learn how to participate in Lemonade Day in your city or to donate locally or nationally.