Kids Sell Lemonade Like a Boss on Saturday

On Saturday, May 4, Northwest Arkansas youth will learn how to become an entrepreneur through Lemonade Day, an educational activity that teaches children how to operate a business.

That day pop-up lemonade stands will blanket the region — from Gentry to Farmington and Bentonville to Fayetteville — as students compete to raise the most money. Afterschool programs such as Boys & Girls Clubs will also participate. 

To launch their businesses, students will:

• Design their product and stand.


• Select a location.


• Borrow startup capital.


• Determine a price.


• Payoff their loan.


• Create their marketing.


• Make a profit.

Projects usually support a charitable organization as well as reward the students for their entrepreneurial spirit.  

Under the direction of J.R. Hinkson, associate director for Undergraduate Programs at the Sam M. Walton College of Business, students in Leadership Walton, a professional development program at Walton College, are teaching the curriculum to kids in grades 3-8. Rita Littrell, director of the Bessie B. Moore Center for Economic Education at Walton College, provided support to the Leadership Walton students as they developed lessons on product development, pitching the investor, marketing, stand location and budgeting.

Partnering with Startup Junkie, an entrepreneurial consulting company that is managing the Lemonade Day program, Leadership Walton students served as mentors for elementary school classes.

Show these budding entrepreneurs your support and purchase lemonade in your neighborhood! Most stands can be found near your favorite retail outlet or downtown community.

Leadership Walton students participating in the program are: