All week long, I’ve been monitoring the progress of a new business in the village. The owners have impressed me with their marketing strategies and advertising techniques. And with literally no overhead and highly desirable product and location, I’m sure they will be highly profitable. Who are these entrepreneurial geniuses? A small group of 10-12 year olds selling lemonade and water. 
I first spotted them on Monday, about halfway down the hill. In the sweltering heat, I imagined them being there only for a few hours. But it’s Thursday, and they have put in endless hours on that corner. Their clientele seem to be the beachgoers who halfway down the hill, take a much needed break with a cold cup of lemonade (brilliant!). In addition, they have expanded their employee base, with more and more children participating in this venture. I believe they now have a total of 6 employees which leaves me wondering about their profit-sharing arrangements.
I kept on making mental notes to stop there on my daily walk, but with the heat, I have been driving everyplace. But, rest assured, these little moguls have thought this one through by launching a more aggressive campaign. With magic markers and cardboard, they have created new signs and have begun flagging down cars. A relentless guerilla marketing technique.
It worked, and I decided to pull over. A child gleefully approached as if he had made his first big sale of the day. I told him that I wanted one cup of lemonade, and he scurried back to the group to report my order. I watched as they all seriously gathered around the cooler to collectively prepare my cup of lemonade. For fifty cents, I was given a large blue cup of lemonade with just the right amount of ice.
They obviously have researched their “value proposition”, because the smile of gratitude I received from this eager businessman, hooked me into being a repeat customer. A great return on investment.
I first spotted them on Monday, about halfway down the hill. In the sweltering heat, I imagined them being there only for a few hours. But it’s Thursday, and they have put in endless hours on that corner. Their clientele seem to be the beachgoers who halfway down the hill, take a much needed break with a cold cup of lemonade (brilliant!). In addition, they have expanded their employee base, with more and more children participating in this venture. I believe they now have a total of 6 employees which leaves me wondering about their profit-sharing arrangements.
I kept on making mental notes to stop there on my daily walk, but with the heat, I have been driving everyplace. But, rest assured, these little moguls have thought this one through by launching a more aggressive campaign. With magic markers and cardboard, they have created new signs and have begun flagging down cars. A relentless guerilla marketing technique.
It worked, and I decided to pull over. A child gleefully approached as if he had made his first big sale of the day. I told him that I wanted one cup of lemonade, and he scurried back to the group to report my order. I watched as they all seriously gathered around the cooler to collectively prepare my cup of lemonade. For fifty cents, I was given a large blue cup of lemonade with just the right amount of ice.
They obviously have researched their “value proposition”, because the smile of gratitude I received from this eager businessman, hooked me into being a repeat customer. A great return on investment.
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