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Entrepreneurs don’t sour on charities

Some young entrepreneurs have found the zest for small business and helping their community. Evan Thachuk, 11, and Makenna Sharp, 10, are two of the estimated 300 youths participating in the fourth annual Lemonade Day in Okotoks on June 9.
lemonadeday
Evan Thachuk creates a sweet concoction for his stand for Okotoks Lemonade Day on June 9.

Some young entrepreneurs have found the zest for small business and helping their community. Evan Thachuk, 11, and Makenna Sharp, 10, are two of the estimated 300 youths participating in the fourth annual Lemonade Day in Okotoks on June 9. “This is the first time I have done it – I have bought lemonade there before and I always wanted to participate,” Thachuk said. “I thought it would just be a fun opportunity.” Lemonade Day has youths making business plans, buying supplies and selling their product in what is hoped to be a sunny day, ideal for selling the sweet-tart nectar. “We are looking at somewhere between 100 and 115 lemonade stands in Okotoks,” said Okotoks Lemonade Day spokesman Ralph Tollens, an Okotoks based trader. “That is certainly the highest in Alberta.” Sharp may be only be 10 but she has plenty of business savvy – this is her fourth year, this time she is helping her little brother. “I really like it because I like meeting new people,” she said. “I’ve learned that if you’re nice to people they will be nice back and if you make good lemonade they will buy it.” Sharp knows location is key – she set up shop in front of Pet Valu for the past three years. She donates much of her profits to the animal shelter Heaven Can Wait and helps her landlord. “I spend some of it at Pet Valu, that way Pet Valu gets profit and Heaven Can Wait gets food,” she explained. “Because Pet Valu helped me.” It’s not only sound business, it’s also good for the community. “That’s one of the things we encourage,” Tollens said. “If they support you how can you support your community? Maybe it’s by donating to a charity or shopping locally.” Thachuk will be located in front of the Okotoks Western Wheel on McRae Street. He said he talked to Wheel publisher Matt Rockley about the stand before setting up shop. He explained his stand’s profits would go to the Max Robinson Foundation (see story on page 6). “He (Rockley) said he liked the charity is a great cause and we would love to help you,” Thachuk said. Max Robinson was Thachuk’s best friend. He died three years ago from e-coli poisoning. Thachuk knows to make money a business has to work at it. “I’ve learned the more you put into it the more you are going to get back,” Thachuk said. “If you don’t do the work, you don’t deserve as much.” He is going to have one variety of lemonade with soda pop to give his concoction some added punch. Sharp is adding fruits, possibly mango, to make her brand unique. The young business people are not only encouraged to give to charity and community, but also to reward themselves. “There’s a mantra we have ‘spend some, save some, share some,’” Tollens said. “It’s important you take that time to reward them. Saving is there might be something bigger you want, a computer, or saving for your business next year. “Share some is the community supporting you, and how can we support the community.” He said those values can be extended to the youths’ entire lives.

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