Lessons From Lemonade

My husband and I joke all the time about what we want our baby to be when she grows up.

Granted, she’s only seven months, but we both already think she should go into the medical field. It seems like there are always great opportunities and tons of flexibility for when it’s time to settle down and have a family, if that’s what she chooses to do.

We know we don’t have much of a say on the path she will choose. And that’s OK. Regardless, we still like to mentally plan on how we can make her as well-rounded as possible so when it comes time to choose her career, she’ll have a good idea of where her talents lie.

So when I learned about the Lemonade Day concept on Twitter (not to be confused with the Lemonade Detroit movie), I made a mental note: my daughter is going to participate in this when she’s older, whether she likes it or not! – bwahaha.

If you’re not familiar with Lemonade Day, essentially it’s a neat program to show kids the spirit of entrepreneurship.

I don’t know about y’all, but I set-up a few lemonade stands during my day as a youngster in a growing subdivision. Looking back, I can see where this provides the perfect springboard to teaching some great lessons – creating a business plan, money management and marketing.

Always on the lookout for cool local opportunities for kiddos, I’m excited to learn for the first time, my area will be participating in its own Lemonade Day Detroit program. For those in Oakland, Macomb and Wayne Counties, the free event will take place on June 12, 2011 and hopes to attract 15,000 mini entrepreneurs; all hitting the streets to sell the delicious summer treat.

Thanks to some rad local sponsors, each child will receive a backpack, chock full of information to explain everything from budgets and marketing to customer service and investors.

One of my favorite parts though? The kids will be allowed to keep the profits they earn, but are encouraged to give a little to charity, too. To me, that will be one of the most important lessons of the day.

Metro Detroit is just one of 28 cities participating in Lemonade Day. Find an event near you here and get out and support our kids!

Learn more about the Lemonade Day concept by watching this adorable video:

What kinds of things to you do with your kids to get them on the path to success? Did you ever set-up a lemonade stand?

Image from the Lemonade Detroit Facebook page