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When life gives you lemons, turn a profit

by Kari Walker

Calling all pint-sized entrepreneurs: Get your business up and going just in time for Lemonade Day Louisiana.

This Saturday, May 4, let your children explore their inner business sense by starting their very own company. Lemonade Day Louisiana is part of a national event through Lemonade Day, an organization that believes the world can change one lemonade stand at a time. This is a free, fun and experimental learning program that teaches children how to start and operate a business. The goal is to show youth how to take ownership of their lives and become productive members of society as leaders in business, volunteers and forward-thinking citizens.

Photo courtesy of lemonadeday.org

In 2010, Lemonade Day was brought to Louisiana by John Georges, CEO of Georges Enterprises, and Todd Graves, CEO of Rasing Cane's. Both of these businessmen once ran their own lemonade stands as children.

Registration includes a backpack filled with a workbook of lessons to teach the young owner about Lemonade Day, specifically with lessons on budgeting, profit-margins, goals, customer service, paying back investors and how to give back to the community. Youth get to keep their profits, but are encouraged to set aside a portion as savings. Organizers say it's more than profits - it's about learning goal-setting, problem solving and building self-esteem.

To get your child registered for Lemonade Day Louisiana, stop by any Lafayette Raising Cane's location or visit the website for additional information.