It’s hard not to smile when seeing a kid opening a lemonade stand. There’s something heartwarming about witnessing young people scratch that entrepreneurial itch. They gather the lemons, sugar, ice, a table, a folding chair, handmade signage, and wait eagerly to sell their lemonade while braving the summer heat.
We gladly hand over our dollar, sip the sweet, icy drink, and walk away feeling like we supported this budding businessperson. Of course, we don’t expect the lemonade stand to be a lifelong venture. The stand will likely close at the end of the summer, or as soon as the kid gets enough money for their bike or gaming console.
However, sometimes this spark grows and turns into a full-blown business, which is exactly what happened when siblings Diallo (age 11) , Della ( age 6) and Damari ( age 5) decided to launch a business selling lemonade. D’Andrea Wooten, Manager of the Tackett’s Tuesday Market sat down with Deena Sherman, the mother of the founders of 3D Lemonade, to find out how they did it, what they’ve learned, and where they’re headed next.
D’Andrea: So what inspired you to start your own business?
Deena: Our business began in the spring of 2022 with support from the 4-H Youth Entrepreneur Program. Our oldest son, Diallo, used his birthday money to kickstart the venture. He created a business plan, chose the name, and designed the logo, which was inspired by his love of superheroes, video games, and the fact that he and all of his siblings’ names start with the letter D.
D’Andrea: What were some of the challenges you faced when you were getting started?
Deena:: Like any start-up, we faced a few early challenges. Finding the perfect recipe took some trial and error, but we eventually landed on a crowd favorite. As Diallo’s customer base grew, it became clear he needed extra help, and that’s when Mom and Dad stepped in to support.
D’Andrea: What do you enjoy most about running your business?
Deena: What we enjoy most about running the business is seeing our children gain real-world experience. As a homeschooling family, we love turning everyday moments into learning opportunities. Through 3D Lemonade, our kids are mastering important life skills like handling money, making investments, analyzing data, and setting goals, all while having fun.
D’Andrea:: Can you walk me through what a normal day looks like for the lemonade stand?
Deena: Our day starts with preparation well before market time. Thanks to our planning, most of the effort goes into loading and unloading materials. The real reward is seeing everything come together on market day.
D’Andrea: What has been your proudest moment so far?
Deena: Our proudest moments come from watching our children grow into confident, creative entrepreneurs. They have taken true ownership of the brand. And of course, we’re incredibly proud of our tasty lemonade and the joy it brings to our community.
D’Andrea: What do your friends and family think about you owning your own business?
Deena: Our family and friends have been wonderfully supportive. Many of them stop by regularly to cheer us on and grab a cup (or two) of lemonade.
D’Andrea: If people want to learn more about your lemonade stand or support you, how can they find you?
Deena: If you’d like to learn more or support our growing business, we’d love to see you at the farmers market. You can also find us on Instagram @3D_Lemonad3.