It’s a classic saying:  “If life give you lemons, make lemonade!”  For students in Taya Trent’s Fifth Grade Class, lemons also give them the unique opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship and raise some money of their own.  On April 25, the students will be the first in Harrison County history to participate in the National Lemonade Day Project, as they set up lemonade stands along the front lawn of Johnson Elementary School from 11:00-1:00pm.

 

“The students have been working really hard to start their first entrepreneurial venture,” said Trent, who has guided the students through the process, using curriculum provided by lemonadeday.org.  “This goes far beyond selling lemonade.  Students learn financial responsibility, supply and demand, marginal utility, return on investment and marketing research methods.  They also learn to work as a team to make decisions, solve problems, and give back to the community.” 

 

The Lemonade Day Project began in Texas in 2007 as a way to teach entrepreneurship to students using a 14-step process.  This year, over one million students will participate in the program, which offers mentoring, life skills application and the real-world experience of opening their stand, adjusting strategies as needed and keeping the profits.

 

Initially, the students learn all about entrepreneurship and how every part of their efforts allows them to “cash” in on opportunities with business. Their eyes help them set goals; their brains help with creativity, advertising, budgeting and accounting; their hands help with purchasing needs and profit sharing; their stomach helps decide the proper recipe to use; their mouths help with selling and promotion; and their feet help run the stand and make it a success. 

 

“Some students worked in teams and some individually,” said Trent.  “Over several weeks, students set goals, created business plans and worked to achieve success.”  Although Trent will monitor sales in order to analyze the project, the students actually get to keep all their profits.  They use traditional and social media outlets to promote their business and bring in profits on the day of the sale.  “Some students have decided to donate part of their profits to charity, some are applying it to college savings plans and some are just going to enjoy the fruits of their labor by keeping the profits.”

 

The students are participating in the project on a volunteer basis, with opportunities for mentoring during lunch and after school.  Parents are also active in the process and are required to be present on the 25^th to help with the lemonade stands.  “The process has been rewarding for everyone involved.  We are hoping for a warm day, thirsty customers, and great profits!”