HOISINGTON — Hanging out a business shingle, Hoisington elementary school age kids were open for business on Saturday when they had a chance to fine tune entrepreneurship skills.
Nearly 20 kids enjoyed the pleasantly crisp morning selling bargains galore at Hoisington Kids Entrepreneurship Market Day. A stream of customers looked at brightly colored bracelets and bows and decorated cupcakes as well as sipping cups of sweetly sour lemonade.
“I think it’s been great,” said Kristi Lovett, Hoisington Chamber of Commerce executive vice president. “We’ve had a steady flow of people.”
She estimated that an hour into the sale, 70-80 customers had been through.
This is the first ever Hoisington Chamber of Commerce Lemonade Stand and today’s sale caps off a week of planning for the kids. The activities began last week when the kids met with the Hoisington High School Future Business Leaders of America Club to discuss marketing, customer service and budgeting.
Colorful, descriptive names marked each business. “Sweet creations,” Little Kitty’s Creations,” “JB’s Jewelry,” “Kadin J’s Bracelet Co.” and “Over the Rainbow-dog treats” were just a few.
Shoppers had the opportunity for a massage of the hands and feet, all for the reasonable price of $1.50, or to purchase a balloon, or buy some raffle tickets. The kid vendors made products with the assistance of parents and siblings.
Brielle Romeiser already had a hobby crafting jewelry, and so selling bracelets was a natural extension. “I like making jewelry,” she said. She and her friend Jennah Jeffrey had made $43.
Jeffrey’s mom Nicki said the girls learned to count back change. They also learned about profit and how much the bracelets cost to make.
While Lemonade Day is a national program, the program was adapted for the community.
“I’m excited to do it again next year,” said Lovett.