Meet some of Reno’s young entrepreneurs.
The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in Reno as shown by these examples of hardworking, ambitious, and adorable youths. Reno is home to a vibrant community of driven children aiming to spread joy and refreshment throughout the city while learning valuable business skills. Here, in this photo essay, we highlight their business savvy, delightfully colorful neighborhood stands, and, of course, their delicious, freshly squeezed refreshments!
Richard & Jazleen
Richard and Jazleen Maldonado, ages 9 and 10, combatted their boredom last summer in Northwest Reno by opening up a lemonade stand business.
With the help of their apartment complex’s maintenance worker, they constructed a charming stand while their mother, Jackie, utilized Zazzle to craft eye-catching T-shirts, banners, and signs. Neighbors flocked to their grand opening, charmed by the youngsters’ initiative — with one generous patron even leaving a $20 tip — setting the stage for their flourishing business. Their success skyrocketed when a customer purchased 10 lemonades for his staff and handed them $100, prompting them to expand their menu to include strawberry lemonade, horchata, and bottled water.
Jackie managed the finances, educating the siblings on expenses and profits weekly, allowing them to enjoy extra cash for treats and save for an anticipated trip to Disneyland. But they took credit cards, too, to ensure no customer was left without a lemonade due to a lack of cash.
Isla & Koda
Inspired by the TV show StoryBots, Isla and Koda Moberly, ages 5 and 3, embarked on a lemonade stand adventure to learn about budgeting while having fun, aiming to save so they could buy souvenirs during their upcoming trip to Costa Rica.
With the artistic touch of their mom, Sabrina Moberly, they crafted a delightful stand and made freshly squeezed lemonade, sparking a series of successful weekends in their Manzanita Park neighborhood in Reno. Their initial goal evolved into a regular lemonade stand and party affair, featuring music, hula hoops, and dancing, transforming their venture into a neighborhood highlight.
Skye & Aidan
Skye and Aidan Gift, ages 11 and 12, were inspired three years ago to launch their lemonade stand at the annual Somersett Summer Car Show in Reno. Their goal was saving for toys and, ultimately, college.
Aidan’s passion for Legos led him to construct impressive cars with more than 6,000 pieces each, featuring independent suspension and moving parts. They became a captivating attraction at the car show.
Their stand not only serves fresh lavender lemonade but also radiates with the duo’s infectious enthusiasm and charming personalities, drawing crowds and creating memorable experiences for attendees.
As these adorable entrepreneurs serve lemonade, they’re not just making money — they’re also soaking up valuable lessons and creating wonderful memories with their community, proving that even the youngest can embrace the joys of entrepreneurship and drink up life’s simple pleasures with others.
Thirst-Quenching Goodness
Written by Heidi Bethel
As the summer heats up and young entrepreneurs hit the neighborhood corners, nostalgia sets in. There’s nothing quite like the crisp, sour, sugary, cool, delicious, satisfying taste of freshly squeezed lemonade. It evokes memories of mixing the perfect batch with Mom, enjoying teamwork with friends, proudly hanging that handmade sign encouraging passersby to stop for a quick refreshment, and, of course, padding the piggy bank. Whether you’re in the throes of prepping your lemonade stand for business or just ready for a cold glass on a hot day, enjoy this recipe and take a moment to appreciate all the splendor and sweet vibes.
Mom’s Freshly Squeezed Lemonade
(courtesy of Kimberly Hughes, the writer’s mom and home cook. Serves 4 to 6)
4 to 6 lemons (to yield about 1 cup lemon juice)
4 cups cold water
½ to ¾ cup white granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
Ice cubes
Roll the lemons on a countertop to soften them, which will make them easier to juice. Cut them in half and juice them into a bowl using a citrus juicer or by hand. In a pitcher, combine the freshly squeezed lemon juice with cold water. Stir in granulated sugar, starting with ½ cup, and taste. Add more sugar if you prefer a sweeter lemonade. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved. Add ice cubes to the pitcher or to individual glasses.
For orangeade or limeade, swap oranges or limes for the lemons and aim for 1 cup of freshly squeezed juice to mix.
