Young Entrepreneurs

To provide both a creative outlet to help youth suffering from mental illness and depression and a way for them to learn the basics of business operation, local businesswoman Melanie Bott has started the My Lemonade Stand Company.

Through the organization, young people can develop and market their own products with guidance from Bott and other business professionals. Participants are also invited to be part of service projects allowing them to give back to their community.

“My Lemonade Stand Company is an e-commerce site focusing on mental health awareness as well as a young entrepreneur education program and service club,” Bott said. “It’s a program for youth, run by youth. The store side of it pays for the rest of the services.”

Bott said she originally created the program for her children, who suffer from depression and anxiety. She noted that having a creative outlet was helpful to them as was providing service to others. Bott decided to expand the program to assist others who may be struggling.

“There’s been so much going on with our youth and mental health, especially during COVID,” Bott said. “Through My Lemonade Stand, youth can learn skills, how to brand and market their creations in their own lemonade stand, and along with building skills and experience, there’s service opportunities.”

“Learning to serve at a young age was helpful when my anxiety and depression made me not want to do anything,” said Bott’s daughter Kaycee Bott. “I was angry and frustrated, and I didn’t know why. As I pushed through the negativity to help others, I would forget about my troubles for a moment because service was instilled in me. I found a release not just serving but in being creative.”

When youth sign up to be part of the program, they receive one-on-one advice on how to develop and market their product. As the program grows, more business professionals will be brought on board to help, and Bott hopes to eventually hold meetings for the group.

“My Lemonade Stand Company was created not just as an outlet for us but as a tool for others. The lemonade stand is a safe place for youth to be a part of something, learn entrepreneur skills, and prepare for the future while earning money,” Kaycee Bott said.“We work with each participant to create a brand and business identity and learn how to market their business on the virtual lemonade stand. “

“We have opportunities to partner with other businesses to teach different skills as well as the excellent opportunity to work closely with a mental health professional, Brandon Maughan, for direction in providing a focus of building skills to succeed and creating healthy connections between community and other support services. Through these efforts, we ‘stand’ together as a group and community to make connections and discover our path. This previous year has brought a lot of anxiety and uncertainty, but we can find new ways to impact and connect with others through technology.”

Youth interested in participating in the My Lemonade Stand Co. program can visit mylemonadestandco.com to learn more and sign up or email mylemonadestandco@gmail.com.