VANCOUVER — Lemonade Day Greater Vancouver Chamber recently won the “Lemmy Award” for the second year in a row. This award underscores the Greater Vancouver Chamber’s commitment to empowering young entrepreneurs and fostering financial literacy.
The program has clinched two Lemmy Awards from Lemonade Day National: Most Business Results in 2022 and Make it Rain in 2023 (Acknowledging Transparency in Numbers and Partnership Cultivation).
These accolades were received at an event gathering Lemonade Day leaders, where achievements, initiatives and the positive impact of the Lemonade Day program on youth and communities were celebrated.
Lemonade Day, tailored for kids ages 6 to 16, serves as an entrepreneurial rite of passage, allowing participants to explore the challenges and joys of owning and operating a small business. Under the mentorship of Lemonade Day lessons outlined in youth workbooks or via the My Lemonade Day app, children develop essential skills such as financial management, marketing, customer service, teamwork, and charitable giving, among others.
The culmination of their efforts is showcased at the Junior Market, held concurrently with the Vancouver Farmers Market during the summer. Here, young entrepreneurs offer handcrafted or homegrown products, showcasing their businesses to the community. In June 2022, Lemonade Day Greater Vancouver participants generated $25,000 in earnings. This year, their entrepreneurial spirit shone even brighter, resulting in nearly double the amount, with sales totaling $40,000.
The Greater Vancouver Chamber’s Junior Market concept was proudly showcased in Houston, solidifying its status as a groundbreaking initiative that is transforming the landscape of how cities are offering the youth entrepreneurship program. The extraordinary success and impact of the Junior Market captured the attention of industry leaders and inspired its adoption as a new format for North America.
“Celebrating these remarkable Lemmy Awards reflects the effort put forth by our young entrepreneurs, mentors, staff, partners, and the entire Southwest Washington community. It’s an honor to witness the growth and success of these aspiring business leaders, and we are grateful for the continuous support from our sponsors. This recognition fuels our passion to empower even more children with entrepreneurial skills, shaping a thriving business community for the next decade and beyond,” said Janet Kenefsky, vice president of operations for the chamber, and city director of Lemonade Day Greater Vancouver.
