My son has had the dream of a lemonade stand for the last few years. With starting my own business four years ago, I didn't really have the time to help him until this year. Starting this week, with cookies and drinks left over from my "Open Lots" on Sunday, my kids opened their first lemonade stand.
In just a few short days, they have learned the following:
1.How to attract attention to their stand.
2. How to deal with those customers once they stop
3. A great deal about revenue versus profit. (I wouldn't let them split their money on the first day since we have lemonade and cookies to buy for next week. That was a shocker!)
4. How to build repeat business with great service, and consistency in opening the stand every day at the same time.
5. The consequences of being distracted and missing a potential customer that drives by if they are not ready at their stand.
I have learned a great deal as well about my neighborhood. My neighborhood is beautiful and peaceful, and there are wonderful people everywhere, but I have been amazed at the number of people who see my kids out there, stop, and buy a $0.25 cookie with a dollar-telling the kids to keep the change. One lady even took a picture. Another lady has stopped by every day that they are open.
My view on helping my buyers look for property has been changed by this experience as well. Neighbors are very important, and they can make or break a neighborhood. I will never be able to repay mine for the kindness that they have shown to my three kids, whose faces beam every time that someone stops! I hope that I never pass by a lemonade stand without stopping. The lessons learned by those kids, and the sense of community that is extended is something that money cannot buy. It is indeed priceless!
Dawn Isenhower
Realtor
Sibcy Cline Realtors
Milford Office
office: 513-248-0800
cell: 513-236-1254
fax: 513-878-2211
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