Serving up the entrepreneurial spirit

  • Thursday, June 9, 2016 4:54pm
  • Opinion

Shoppers will have an additional venue — make that dozens of additional venues — this Saturday as Lemonade Day comes to the central Kenai Peninsula.

The event encourages the development of an entrepreneurial spirit among are youth, who have the opportunity to partner with a local business and set up a lemonade stand at that location. The event draws support from the University of Alaska Center for Economic Development, the Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce, and many area businesses that provide a location for a stand or other support.

Lemonade Day participants don’t just show up, though — they learn a little bit about how to run a business. Ahead of the event, the chambers hosted workshops on business and finances as well as food safety, and stand building workshops took place at local building supply businesses. Up-and-coming entrepreneurs plan their stand, from deciding how to prepare their lemonade to what other wares they might offer. According to Nolan Klouda of the Center for Economic Development, many participants put at least some of their profits into savings, and many donate some to a charitable cause.

As any entrepreneur will attest, the economy runs on small businesses. While Alaska’s current economic outlook can be discouraging, there is also opportunity to be found. Lemonade Day provides a great opportunity to encourage our next generation of business leaders.

Kudos to all those businesses that have contributed to Lemonade Day. We’re thrilled that you’re willing to step up and mentor future business owners.

And good luck to all those who will be open for business on Saturday. We admire the time and effort you’re putting in to this event, and hope you build on this experience with your future endeavors.

Stands will be open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Enjoy!

More in Opinion

Dawson Slaughter is president of the Anchor Point Chamber of Commerce and a candidate for State House District 6. (Courtesy photo)
Opinion: Children, education, obligation

Our children and the future children of Alaskans must always be the priority and first in our education concerns

The Exxon Baton Rouge, smaller ship, attempts to off-load crude from the Exxon Valdez that ran aground in Prince William Sound, Valdez, Alaska, spilling over 270,000 barrels of crude oil, shown March 26, 1989. (AP Photo/Rob Stapleton)
Point of View: Exxon Valdez oil spill brought out local heroes

When the Exxon Valdez ran aground in Prince William Sound 35 years ago, local people sprang to respond long before Exxon provided any help

Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: No Alaska governor has ever so boldly held schools and students as political hostages

‘Star Trek’ reference looks past real argument for school funding

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, a Soldotna Republican who co-chairs the House Education Committee, speaks in favor overriding a veto of Senate Bill 140 during floor debate of a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature on Monday, March 18, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Justin Ruffridge: Supporting education

Capitol Corner: Legislators report back from Juneau

Rep. Ben Carpenter, a Nikiski Republican, speaks in opposition to overriding a veto of Senate Bill 140 during floor debate of a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature on Monday, March 18, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Ben Carpenter: Education is too important to keep getting wrong

Capitol Corner: Legislators report back from Juneau

Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)
Point of View: Some state lawmakers need to embrace reality, not PFD political theater

State revenues minus public services do not leave enough in the checkbook to pay an oversized dividend

Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, speaks about teacher bonuses during consideration a bill increasing state funds for public education in the Alaska House of Representatives on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Rep. Ben Carpenter: Holding up a mirror to state government

Capitol Corner: Legislators report back from Juneau

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks in opposition to an executive order that would abolish the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives during a joint legislative session on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman: Ensuring food security for Alaska

Capitol Corner: Legislators report back from Juneau

Most Read