While current conditions in our SouthCoast community won't allow for us to host Lemonade Day in the traditional sense, that doesn't mean that the lessons you've learned throughout the Lemonade Day program and Lemonopolis can't be put to good use. We have six ways for young entrepreneurs to participate in this year's new Lemonade Day My Way program, happening Nation-wide from Thursday, August 20 to Sunday, August 23, 2020.

STEP 1: REGISTER FOR LEMONADE DAY
If you're in a participating Lemonade Day My Way SouthCoast, make sure you've officially signed up and have created your own account here. We provided an online curriculum this year so you can begin learning within minutes of signing up. And one thing to keep in mind is these business lessons can apply to many small business ideas, not just lemonade. Whether you are selling hand-sewn face masks or veggies from your garden, everything you need to know about running a successful, profitable business can be found here.

STEP 2: SELECT YOUR WAY
This year there are six ways to do Lemonade Day YOUR WAY. Choose from online-based business models or in-person business models. These models include:

The SIMPLE Way: This model is purely a virtual Lemonade stand. As an entrepreneur, you will be selling your lemonade recipe on your very own website! Customers can come to your website and read about you as a business owner and entrepreneur. They can also learn about your virtual lemonade stand and your profit goals. They will purchase a virtual sip via digital payment to receive your recipe via email. Although you may not be able to serve them a glass of your lemonade in person, they can still use your recipe to make their own glass and enjoy it from the comfort of their home! Download the business plans for this model here.

The HIGH TECH Way: This is a full-on virtual store! As an entrepreneur, you will be selling lemonade or another product to customers through an eCommerce website. Customers will come to your eCommerce site and purchase your lemonade or other product. Upon purchase, that product will then be sent digitally through email or physically shipped to your customer through the mail. NOTE: The “High Tech” Way is very similar to the “Simple Way” in terms of a virtual stand. Creating and setting up an eCommerce store takes a certain amount of time, management, and technical skill. Download the business plans for this model here.

The SOCIAL Way:  As you know, social media platforms are a great place to advertise your business, but they also might be a great place to sell your product. Customers will purchase a virtual sip via digital payment to receive your recipe via email. As an entrepreneur, you can use social media to post about your product (a virtual sip of lemonade or other product). Potential customers will see your posts and read about you as a business owner and entrepreneur. They can also learn about your virtual lemonade stand and your profit goals. Include details in your posts about how much you're selling your product for and let people know how they can purchase it digitally. Although you may not be able to serve them a glass of your lemonade in person, they can still use your recipe to make their own glass and enjoy it from the comfort of their home! Download the business plan for this model here

The COMMUNITY Way: A traditional, in-person lemonade stand just like you’re used to but with a few more health and safety precautions. Set up your lemonade stand outside of your house or at a family member's house and sell your lemonade straight to your customers. Be sure to let your local Board of Health know where your stand is at least 14 days before you plan to open. Not having a Board-of-Health issued permit could lead to your stand getting shut down. Download the business plan for this model here.

The DRIVE-THRU Way: A drive-thru lemonade stand. Set up your lemonade stand but make it a drive-thru for your customers! They can drive up to your stand and you can serve them through their car window. By adding in a few extra health and safety precautions, you can provide a convenient, contactless service that is safe for you and your customersDownload the business plan for this model here

The TO-GO Way: Create a pre-packaged lemonade kit with individually wrapped items such as water bottles, lemonade packets, other special ingredients, and your recipe. Sell the kit to your customers in person at a stand, via drive-through or you could even take pre-orders and personally deliver the kit door to door. Your customers can then take your ingredients and make your lemonade recipe at home. Download the business plan for this model here

STEP 3: GET STARTED 
No matter what 'Way' you choose to run your business this year, the most important step is getting started. Once you've passed all of the lessons in Lemonopolis, you are ready to put your hard work into practice. Don't forget to put your stand on the map!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook for all of the new and fun information about Lemonade Day My Way on the SouthCoast from Thursday, August 20 to Sunday, August 23, 2020!

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