On Saturday, a woman approached a table at Brownie Brothers in Utica, looked at the homemade sweets and asked young entrepreneur Jack Foster of Cherry if he had baked them.
“Maybe,” Jack replied slyly. “Maybe not.”
Attaboy, Jack. Tease your customers a little to make them want to taste your product. This young entrepreneur from Dimix School is a quick learner.
That, of course, is why the Illinois Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce invited local students to its annual Lemonade Day youth market. To learn the basics of running a business and, just as importantly, to give back.
“Last year, we set up about eight tables. Waltham was our pilot school, and we had a good turnout,” said IVAC Executive Director Bill Zenz. “In the two hours they were here, these businesses made just over $1,000.”
This year, the event has expanded to 15 companies from three schools, with Ottawa Central and Dimmick joining Waltham.
Waltham Elementary School teacher Kathy Schultz said she was surprised by the results of last year’s events. All 2023 Lemonade for Her Day participants raised at least $100 for her and participated in classroom activities afterwards.
“It was an overwhelming success,” Schultz said. “The children were very energized by this event. It made them want to go back to school and work harder and learn faster.”
Tara Knauf, a fourth-grade teacher at Dimmick, said Lemonade Day has been a great educational opportunity so far and that it “definitely won’t be the last” time Dimmick will participate. However, one issue he said needs to be resolved is which organization will receive the proceeds from Saturday’s sales.
“I will reflect on this matter over the next week,” Knauf said, “but I will have to repay my investors, including my parents.”
Lemonade Day is a national program that teaches life skills such as business management, responsibility, financial literacy, goal setting, and teamwork.
“As a chamber, we knew this was something we needed to bring to the area,” Zens said.
