When life gives you lemons...turn them into a business opportunity!
The Rural Municipality (RM) of Ritchot is once again hosting its Sweetest Lemonade Stand Contest, inviting local kids and teens to pour their hearts into a refreshing blend of entrepreneurship and creativity.
"We encourage children and youth under the age of 18 to set up a lemonade stand," says Danielle Peters, the RM's community engagement coordinator.
"You're allowed an $80 investment into your stand, where you'll have the opportunity to design your own booth, master the art of customer service, and perfect your lemonade recipe."
Sweet stakes and sunny rewards
Peters says the RM's council and some staff will act as judges, making their way to different stands on August 21 and 22.
A cash prize of $200 is available to each of the community winners, and a $300 prize will be awarded to the overall winner.
Contestants will be judged on a number of factors, Peters says, including booth design, customer service, and lemonade colour, taste and price.
She says the secret ingredient is creativity.
"We've all seen the generic lemonade stand, but we really want you to take that much further... Jazz it up, maybe offer more than just lemonade," she suggests.
Inspiring a zest for business
Peters says the lemonade stand contest is a part of the RM's drive to support local businesses.
"This is just a really good stepping stone for those youth to get in the mindset of, 'Hey, I can create something on my own, make an income, and make an impact.'"
Peters encourages anyone sitting on the fence to register for the competition, "squeezing" a chance to learn about operating a business, and slurp up some income.
Registrations must be submitted by Aug. 15.
A map of all participating stands will be released a couple of weeks ahead of the contest.
Public voting runs from 1 p.m. on August 21 to 6 p.m. on August 23, and winners will be announced at the RM of Ritchot's Music in the Park event on September 12.
Written with files from Carly Koop