LEMONADE DAY
Feature
Now in its fifth year, Rochester Area's Lemonade Day continues to grow, connecting young entrepreneurs with community mentors, sponsors, and resources that help them learn the fundamentals of starting and operating a business. For many young entrepreneurs, the first steps into the business world do not begin with a storefront, a business plan, or a large investment. They begin with a lemonade stand. Lemonade Day, a free youth entrepreneurship program supported by communities across the country, gives kids the opportunity to experience what it takes to create, operate, and grow a small business.
Through the program, participants learn skills that extend far beyond selling lemonade – including money management, goal setting, communication, problem solving, and planning. In Rochester, Lemonade Day has continued to grow since its launch in 2021, giving more young entrepreneurs the opportunity to turn ideas into action. The program is organized by the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce and reached record participation this year, reflecting the community’s growing commitment to helping young people develop business skills. “Lemonade Day not only teaches kids how to build and operate their own business, but it also gives them the tools they need to further develop lifelong skills such as money management, problem solving, and forward thinking,” says Shannon Gowen, events & programs director and Lemonade Day city director at the Chamber.
4 | ROCHESTER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ADVANTAGE MAGAZINE — AUGUST 2026
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