Nicole Fernandez: Lemonade stand a lesson in entrepreneurship & community

To The Daily Sun,

I would like to thank everyone who stopped by my son’s lemonade stand at the corner of Penny Lane and Lexington Drive in Laconia this week. If anything, it goes to show how NICE people are! It really warmed my heart listening to my son’s stories about “the 7-foot-tall police officer who bought lemonade and was so nice,” and “the guys who were speeding in the white truck but stopped suddenly and gave $20 and said keep the change,” and “the nice lady with the dog” and “the man who…” as well as the people who know him and stopped as well.

Of course, my husband, other son, and I checked on him periodically and witnessed slow times as well as peoples’ generosity. I love our small community, the fact that I feel comfortable with him setting up a stand by himself, and the fact that it was a wonderful experience for all of us both days he was there.

This venture turned out to be a lesson in entrepreneurship (I took him shopping for the lemonade, bagged ice, and cups) so he understands profit, but also gained experience in talking to adults and marketing himself with his sign and calling out to people. After a successful first day, which I set up for him by driving everything to the corner, he chose to put his big drink dispenser, cooler, cups, tray tables, chair, and signs in a wagon and pulled it up there and set it up by himself on the second day.

I might owe some of you an apology however — we forgot to discuss giving change! I think he assumed anyone who gave him more than a dollar meant to be generous! My eyes were the size of saucers when I learned he didn’t give anyone change. He assured me everybody who gave too much told him to keep it! We’ll work on that for next time.

Nicole Fernandez

Laconia