Run a Lemonade Stand

There's nothing like an ice-cold glass of lemonade when summer is at its hottest. Generations of kids have earned money by selling lemonade on sweltering summer days. Finding the right location and advertising your stand are two perfect ways to get lots of business. Most importantly, offer delicious, fresh drinks, such as lemonade, that will keep people coming back for more. You should also sell other treats to keep the customers happy, and possibly convince them to tell their friends about your stand.

Steps

Making Plans

  1. See where you're allowed to set up a stand. Did you know there are laws about where you can set up a stand? Before you start setting up, make sure it isn't against the rules in your area. To find out if you're allowed to set up a stand, see if you need to get a permit or comply with any laws.[1]
    • Ask your parents to find out whether you can set up a stand. Let them know that you need a permit in many states.
    • Or find out yourself by calling your local Better Business Bureau to get more information.[2]
  2. Choose a popular spot. If you live on a dead-end street, you might want to try one that gets more foot traffic. Intersections are also good spots, since you have people passing from more than one direction. Make sure the spot you choose is safe. Don't set up too close to the the street.
    • You could always set up in your front yard. This works especially well if you live on a busy street.
    • Be careful about setting up in public parks or outside sporting events. Many states have passed laws against letting people sell lemonade in these areas.[3]
  3. See if other kids want to get involved. Have someone help you so you can take turns doing different jobs. It's also more fun to have someone else there.
    • If you are planning a long day of selling, make sure you trust the person taking shifts not to steal money. An untrustworthy business-partner can ruin your stand.
  4. Bring water and snacks for the people running the stand (you and maybe others). If it's a long day and you're thirsty, you'll end up drinking all the lemonade and eating all the snacks (if you made any).
  5. Think of a price. If you're using fresh lemons, fresh ice and large cups, you could probably charge $1.00 per cup. If you're using a powdered mix and serving up small cups, people probably won't pay more than $0.25 to $0.50. Often, lemonade stands are either under or over priced, and the kids running them don't earn much money. Be sure to start out with some coins and bills for change.
  6. Make a Sign. Get some poster board and markers so you can make a big, colorful sign to hang on your stand. The sign should say what you're selling and how much it costs. Use cheerful hand lettering that's neatly done. You might want to draw a picture of lemons or lemonade to make your sign more attractive.
    • You can also make signs to post around the neighborhood. Tell people where to go to buy lemonade.
    • If you do this, make sure you take down the signs when you take down your stand.

Setting Up Your Stand

  1. Set up a card table and chairs. A small card table should be big enough to fit your lemonade pitcher, cups, napkins and any treats you're offering. Get a chair for each person who will be running the stand with you. To attract more customers, use a pretty (but not distracting) tablecloth, and tape your sign to the front. Bright colors will get people to look at your table, and ponder whether or not they want to buy something.
  2. Make lemonade. Not all lemonade is created equal. It's worth coming up with a tasty recipe so you don't disappoint your customers. Be sure to sample each batch to make sure it has just the right amount of sweet and sour flavors before you try to sell it. Always serve your lemonade with ice to keep it cold. Here are three ways to make lemonade:[4]
    • Make it from scratch with fresh-squeezed lemons. For one gallon of lemonade, you need 2 cups of fresh lemon juice and 2 cups of white sugar. Mix well so the sugar dissolves.
    • Make it from concentrate. You can buy a can of frozen lemonade concentrate in the freezer aisle of your grocery store. Mix it with water according to the instructions on the package.
    • Make it from powder. Get a can of powdered lemonade. Follow the instructions to dissolve the powder in cold water.
  3. Get disposable cups and napkins. Small paper cups are a popular choice, but you can use larger plastic cups if you'd like. One package of cups usually comes with enough to sell a days' worth of lemonade. Get a package of napkins, too.
  4. Sell other treats if you want. Why stop at lemonade? Since you're setting up a stand, you might as well offer other treats, too. Cookies, brownies and other baked goods are fun to sell. You could also offer a bigger variety of drinks. Strawberry lemonade, iced tea or Make Fruit Punch are refreshing drinks customers might enjoy. Some websites let you sign up to start a lemonade stand or bake stand, and donate part of your profit to help end hunger.

Selling Lemonade

  1. Talk to people who pass by. If you sit quietly, they may not feel encouraged to come to your table and buy lemonade. Smile and say, "would you like a cup of lemonade?" That way people will notice your table and be more likely to buy something. Be prepared to answer questions if they ask. Make sure to talk loudly. Even if they don't buy anything, don't be shy to say "Have a good day!".
  2. Be polite. Potential customers won't want to buy anything if you get irritated with them. If they have kids, talk to them and pay them a compliment. If they are just adults, act joyful and polite and just be yourself. If they decide not to buy anything, just smile and politely tell them "Have a good day!" as they leave.
  3. Use good manners when you make a sale. When customers want to buy some lemonade, carefully pour a cup and hand it to them with a napkin. Once they have the lemonade in their hands, take their money and place it in your cash register. Don't forget to tell them thank you! After all, they just bought something from your lemonade stand. With luck, they'll tell their friends to visit your stand.

Tips

  • Make sure your table is nice, clean, decorative and full of bright colors so you can attract more people. Try decorating plastic tablecloths with paint, or buy special lemonade stand products.
  • If you want to sell more lemonade, make homemade lemonade. In the cooler you put the ice in, store cut lemon slices or mint sprigs for decoration.
  • Friendly tip- you can get more customers around 5:00 PM, as it's hotter and some people are commuting home or finishing up their chores.
  • If you are doing it for more than one day, count how many people you have a day to see if you're improving. Have a notebook with you to count.
  • The more personalized your stand is, and the more effort you put into it, the more lemonade you might sell. Customize things like the tablecloth, paper cups if you use paper cups, napkins, donation jar, cash register, and anything else that you can and should customize.
  • Have a friend help! However, if you do have a friend help, make sure you both get a fair share of the money Good luck on your lemonade stand.
  • If you are putting up signs by the road, make sure the letters are big enough to be seen by people in their cars.
  • Always smile and say have a good day.
  • Have deals. A person could buy one cup of your lemonade for 25 cents, or 5 cups for a dollar. It may be taking away your money, but only a little bit. Plus deals draw people in and make an attractive thing to put on your sign.
  • Advertise. Make pages with pictures and some information about your stand and print multiple copies. Hang these up on mailboxes and street lamps all around your neighborhood. Make sure you have permission from your neighbors if you want to put posters on their mailboxes.
  • Make sure you don't leave the lemonade out long enough so all the ice melts. Make sure your mom or dad will make another batch or two. And don't forget to taste it.
  • You could make a mascot for your stand, such as a lemon with eyes and hands and a goofy smile. If working with anyone else, come together to decide on a good mascot drawing. Also, don't make anyone where a costume if no one wants to. Paper drawings would be just fine, as long as they can be seen across the street.
  • If you are younger, get permission from an adults or guardian.
  • Make sure your stand is sturdy and tidy.
  • Sell your lemonade at a good price if not nobody will want to buy it!

Warnings

  • Make sure that your products are not too overpriced or under priced. You want to make a profit, right? Charge about 25 cents to 75 cents per cup, and $1 to $2.50 for baked goods (if you sell baked goods, too)
  • If you make baked goodies, make sure you have made the recipe right. Try them before you sell them.
  • Make sure the money is in a safe place. Use a register that you can latch shut, and always have at least two people at the stand at all times.
  • Test your lemonade first. Those lemons you used in your lemonade could have expired over two months and you wouldn't even know it. Test to make sure your product is good.

Things You'll Need

  • Sturdy table (metallic, if possible)
  • Tablecloth
  • Chairs
  • Poster board
  • Markers
  • Tape
  • Pitcher
  • Lemons
  • Sugar
  • Water
  • Ice
  • Other treats (optional)
  • Cups
  • Napkins
  • Money register
  • Extra cash and coins for change
  • Jar for donations or tips
  • Plates, if needed

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Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://blogs.findlaw.com/law_and_life/2013/08/5-legal-issues-with-your-kids-lemonade-stand.html
  2. ↑ http://www.bbb.org/
  3. ↑ http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2011/08/03/the-inexplicable-war-on-lemonade-stands/2/
  4. ↑ http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/classic-lemonade-0

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