Some budding entrepreneurs have been identified in the community surrounding Jackson State University.
A group of elementary-age children recently participated in Lemonade Day, an entrepreneurship initiative in which youth set up lemonade stands and sell their wares to the customers.
JSU’s Metro Jackson Community Prevention Coalition (MJCPC) and the Center for University-Based Development (CUBD) partnered with Galloway Elementary School in Jackson for the implementation of Lemonade Day on May 3.
Organizers said the purpose was to teach children how to create their own business. Some lessons include budgeting, marketing, investors and making a profit. After the children are done they can use the money to buy things, give back to charities and save their profits.
Justice Baylis’ set up Justice’s Roar! Jungle Lemonade Stand at the JSU Walter Payton Complex. She earned $113, including revenue and tips. Justice said she learned “not to be shy and speak up to the customers.” Justice plans to donate approximately 20 percent of her profit to the Children’s Hospital.
Shimere Milton’s Magical Lemonade Stand also operated at the Walter Payton Complex. She sold two different cup sizes of lemonade (small for $1.00 and large for $2.00).
“I learned that I can become a business woman and it can be profitable. I talked to people who taught me about being an entrepreneur.” Sheimere plans to donate 10 percent of her profit to Operation Shoe String.
Kristyona Sutton operated her stand at JSU’s College of Business. She sold lemonade for $2.00 plus chips and cookies. She earned $178.35 , including tips and revenue. Her lesson from the experience: “You can earn money without working over and over.” She plans to donate 10 percent of her profits to the Children’s Hospital.
Lemonade Day founder Michael Holthouse had a vision to empower today’s youth to become tomorrow’s entrepreneurs through helping them start, own and operate their very own business. Lemonade Day is a strategic, 14-step process that walks youth from a dream to a business plan, while teaching them the same principles required to start any big company.
Launched in Houston, Texas, in 2007, Lemonade Day has grown from 2,700 kids in one city to 150,000 kids in 36 cities across America and Canada. With the help of partners like Google, Lemonade Day will bring this entrepreneurial experience to 1 million kids in 100 cities across America, sparking entrepreneurship and empowering youth in a way that’s never been done to scale.