FIFTH LEMONADE DAY MOVES IMPACT TO OVER 150 ELEMENTARY STUDENTS
Each spring, third, fourth and fifth-grade students across Wapello County are given a unique opportunity to take their first steps into the world of entrepreneurship: Lemonade Day. This hands-on program equips students with the tools and knowledge to build, launch and run their own small business— starting with something as simple, yet powerful, as a lemonade stand.
The program guides students through the full entrepreneurial journey. They begin by developing a business plan, learning the importance of setting goals, managing money and planning for expenses. From there, they move on to designing a stand, crafting a unique lemonade recipe and preparing to serve customers. By the time Lemonade Day arrives, these young entrepreneurs are not only ready to sell lemonade but also prepared to put classroom concepts like overhead, return on investment and customer service into action.
The results are inspiring. Students step into roles that push them beyond their comfort zones— pitching their ideas, greeting new customers, and proudly running their stands with confidence. Judges and community members alike are consistently impressed by the professionalism, creativity and determination on display. The event doesn’ t just teach students how to sell lemonade; it fosters character, confidence and leadership skills that will carry into their futures.
GOPIP hosted its fifth annual Lemonade Day this past May, with participation continuing to grow year after year. Since its launch locally, the program has already impacted more than 150 elementary students, including 47 participants in 2025 alone. The long-term results are beginning to take shape as well: At least four students have continued their lemonade sales beyond the program, transforming their one-day stand into an ongoing business venture. These early success stories show the lasting impact that Lemonade Day can have, not just for a single afternoon but for years to come.
Programs like Lemonade Day matter because they plant seeds for the future. They help children see themselves not just as students, but as innovators, problem-solvers, and business leaders in the making. As these young entrepreneurs learn to balance budgets, manage operations and engage with their communities, they are also building skills that will strengthen the economic future of Ottumwa.
With continued support from schools, families, and the wider community, Lemonade Day will remain a meaningful investment in our youth— an investment that may one day result in thriving local businesses that trace their beginnings back to a single lemonade stand.
18 GOPIP Investor Directory 2025-26