My son had been beeeeggggging me for weeks to have a bake sale/lemonade stand. I kept putting it off for various reasons but mainly because I was lazy had other things going on and couldn’t stand the heat determine the best time to have it! 😉
But, I made time this past weekend, and I’m so glad I did. We both learned valuable lessons that really could apply to the pursuit of any goal–not just business. I’ve narrowed our lessons learned to the top 12…
Lesson 1 – Planning ensures consistency & organization
My son went round and round on what to charge customers. He finally figured the brownies would have more ingredients, so he decided to charge more for them. Once he determined his prices, he made sure little brother knew the prices, so customers would not be confused.
Lesson 2 – Preparation ensures quality
Finding the recipes, figuring out the ingredients ahead of time, and setting them out before cooking, helped ensure he wouldn’t miss an ingredient that might affect the taste of the cookies and brownies.
Lesson 3 – Attentiveness aids in minimal mistakes
The first batch of brownies almost burned because he got caught up playing a video game and didn’t hear the timer go off. He caught them right on time, though. They were slightly harder than we would have hoped, but they still tasted great! He was more attentive to the second batch. 😉
Lesson 4 – Having a team is a good thing
Everyone in the house rallied to make sure the lemonade stand and bake sale was a success! He even had a buddy stop by and help. Jacob couldn’t have been happier!
Lesson 5 – Identify the strengths and weaknesses of your team members, then allow them to walk in their strengths
He quickly learned little brother shouldn’t crack the eggs, but he was a good stirrer. He also learned little brother will help take the items out to the curb, but don’t expect him to sit in the heat too long…
Lesson 6 – You learn from your mistakes
You just can’t pour the vanilla extract with the same amount of force as you would the sugar. IT’S A LIQUID!!! eh…hmmm…sorry, I digress…No more spills with the remaining batches. 😉
Lesson 7 – Trust your gut
Mommy felt a different container would work to hold the cookies and brownies, but he stuck to his guns on using the box in his playroom. It turned out to be a perfect size to hold the product AND a space saver on the table.
Lesson 8 – Everybody won’t like your idea or product, and that’s okay
Some mean ‘ole neighbors didn’t have time to stop from their busy day and purchase some cookies or brownies from a hot little entrepreneur in their neighborhood on a beautiful, sunny, 99 degree Texas heat day who was frantically waving them down…
Lesson 9 – BUT Some will!!!! And, they’ll spread the word!
Yaay to the people who stopped and supported my little businessman and then went and told their friends, who then came back for the awesome cold lemonade!!
Lesson 10 – Marketing is essential
People don’t know what they don’t know about. Good call on going door to door with little brother (within view of mommy) and letting them know about your bake sale! Good call…
Lesson 11 – It’s hard work, but people who believe in you will invest in your dream
Sitting in the sun for hours was tough, but kudos to those people who made a purchase AND a donation because they were impressed with a determined little boy.
Lesson 12 – If you stick with it, even though it’s tough, you will be successful
Three hours in the hot sun was long forgotten once he realized he sold every…single…item and made a great profit. 🙂
