FAMU SBI to train next generation of entrepreneurs with Lemonade Day

Thanks to the faculty and staff of the FAMU School of Business and Industry (SBI), children across the Big Bend area will get a sweet and refreshing glimpse into the world of entrepreneurship this weekend.

Today, Saturday, June 13, marks the first-ever Lemonade Day in Tallahassee, a national program sponsored by companies like Google for Entrepreneurs and Prepared 4 Life. Lemonade Day serves to teach K-12 students how to start, own, and operate businesses, using the classic lemonade stand model. The event will also be the first to be held in Florida in the program’s eight-year history.

FAMU’s SBI program brought the program to Tallahassee through the help of local sponsors and its Creativity and Innovation Initiative supported by a gift from FAMU alumnus and Microsoft Chair John W. Thompson and his wife, Sandi. The goal of the event is to spark an entrepreneurial spirit in the community and empower youth.

“The University’s and the School of Business and Industry’s commitment to teaching and service is more evident than ever through sponsorship of this effort. Bringing Lemonade Day to Tallahassee, as the state’s first city to do so, demonstrates the foresight, innovation, and commitment to excellence by our leadership,” said LaTanya White, professor of entrepreneurship and management in SBI, who serves as the city director and a key organizer of the event.

Local businesses are working with White to offer “safe stands” for lemonade sales across the Big Bend area. According to White, the goal is to open at least 100 lemonade stands for business on Saturday and engage at least 1,000 youth. Prior to Saturday’s event, student participants will have completed 14 entrepreneurial lessons and fun activities that provide business skills training.

Lemonade Day is a free and  experiential learning program that teaches youth how to start, own, and operate their own business – a lemonade stand. It began in Houston, Texas in 2007. Since then it has grown from 2,700 kids to 800,000 kids in cities across North America. Lemonade Day was founded by Michael Holthouse, best known in the business world as founder and president of Paranet, Inc., an Inc. Magazine “Entrepreneur of the Year” and a two-time “Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Company” winner.