Ah the infamous summer lemonade stand. Nothing says summer like a gaggle of kids flagging cars down on a street corner. My four-year-old son and his eight-year old cousin, two budding entrepreneurs spent the other morning setting up shop in front of our house. The squeezed lemons, garnished drinks with fresh berries, and worked the crowd better than a used car salesman.
As a child I once had grand dreams that my lemonade sales would ensure a summer stockpile of cash. Forget stuffing pennies into a piggy bank or waiting for a tooth to fall out, the lemonade stand I believed was my ticket to financial freedom. The reality of course was quiet disappointing. After a day spent pedaling my thirst quenching creations, I'd tally my change to discover I'd made just enough to cover the cost of lemons.
Like a responsible parent when my son claimed he was going to buy a Star Wars action figure with his share of the profits, I sat him down and explained the tough realities of doing business in this economy. Gas prices, stagnant housing market, outsourcing---lemonade sales were sure to suffer.
"Okay mommy," was his quick reply. Off he went to draw signs and set up shop. Five hours later, sticky and saturated from sampling his product line, he held up a Tupperware with wads of cash, and asked, "is this enough for a Star Wars guy?"
"Let me check," I responded, pulling out bill after bill. The grand total-$38.75
I nodded, failing to mention he could purchase a half dozen figures with his earnings. He ran off squealing in delight. I did too. It's good news after all. In this dismal economy I learned the all American lemonade stand is recession proof.
Now my son wants a permanent stand. Can you blame him?
Kate Dyer-Seeley is a freelance writer. Her first book, Underneath the Ash, is coming out soon. For more information visit http://www.katedyerseeley.com
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