Tomorrow’s business leaders are today’s lemonade sellers

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May 1 is officially proclaimed as Lemonade Day in Anchorage, according to Mayor Dan Sullivan.

Lemonade Day is a community event created by Prepared 4 Life that encourages both youth and communities to participate in selling lemonade at their own lemonade stands. The focus of this program is to let youth experience becoming entrepreneurs. Their objective is building confidence and self-esteem in children and to let them run their own business.

This is the first year Alaska is participating in this national event. It is operated by UAA’s College of Business and Public Policy and the University of Alaska Center for Economic Development.

Youth will prepare their own stands, market their goods, and be their own boss. They also get to keep all revenues earned from their lemonade stand.

Christi Bell, Director from UA Center for Economic Development, is the main point of contact for putting this event together. She is working closely with Kelly Laipenieks, Meredith Rothstein, and Kathryn Abbott.

Bell says, “To help promote this event, we will all be hosting a Lemonade Day bus this coming Sunday to allow media an opportunity to get around to some stands.”

This bus will be departing from the University Center at 12:30 pm. It will make rounds in Anchorage to visit the different lemonade stands, and it will return at 4:30 pm. They plan on interviewing these youth participants on their experiences throughout the day.

Laipenieks says, “The bus will be touring numerous lemonade stands around the city in support of these amazing young entrepreneurs.”

The goal this year was to register at least 1,100 across the state.

Asia Beder, a VISTA volunteer for the event mentioned, “On Kids Day alone, about 850 youth registered to participate in this event.”

This took place earlier this month at the Dena’ina Civic & Convention Center. The children received free backpacks that were filled with information on what lemonade day is, tips on where to set up their stands, and how to build these stands. Each child was required to have an adult sponsor them.

Beder says, “We made about 900 backpacks and were only left with about 50.”

Each entrepreneur is responsible for obtaining permission to sell lemonade on private property. However, according to the official Lemonade Day website for Alaska, many local businesses have volunteered to host stands at their storefronts. These include: City Diner, Chuck E. Cheese, Classic Toys, and all Carrs locations. The Municipality of Anchorage is also allowing all parks to be used for lemonade stands. Each youth is encouraged to contact the businesses directly to negotiate the placements of their stands as its part of the learning process.

Lemonade Day originated in Houston, Texas and was founded in 2007. During this first year, about 2,600 kids registered. In 2008, about 11,000 kids registered, and in 2009 about 31,000 kids registered when it expanded to Austin, Texas and Wayne Country, Indiana. Last year’s total revenue for Lemonade Day 2010 was $4.2 million, with over $1 million donated to a charity of choice from youth.

Volunteers that are interested in helping out with Lemonade Day or joining Laipenieks, Bell, Rothstein, or Abbott on the bus can contact the UA Center for Economic Development at 907-786-5444 for more information.