Dream Academy News | Shaping Tomorrow's Entrepreneurs

Sunday May 3, 2009

For the young people, staff, and volunteers at the Houston Dream Academy Learning Center, Sunday, May 3 meant one thing:  It was finally Lemonade Day!

For seven long, fun hours, Houston DreamKids sold homemade cookies, classic lemonade, and their own Dreamalade TM - a special green blend made with mango pineapple juice, which proved a hit for all ages.  The brand name was the brainchild of DreamKid Jalen.

Lemonade Day linked directly to the skill-building component of the U.S. Dream Academy curriculum and also unlocked immense potential in the participating young people.  The event helped them learn to set goals, develop a business plan, seek investors, provide costumer service, and give back to the global community.

From two locations on a shopping center strip, students engaged the public through a dynamic "street team" marketing strategy that blanketed neighborhood corners.  Houston Texans professional football players and cheerleaders even dropped by to lend a hand.

Among the day's success stories was Kevin, a fourth grader who suffers from ADHD but stayed relentlessly focused, working the crowd on his way to being the day's top seller.  In all, the DreamKids took in $802, with a profit of more than $600.  Each young person received a small "salary" (part of their business plan), with the rest going to the West Africa Initiative through which the Houston Learning Center has adopted a village in Cameroon, West Africa.

"What a huge success," says Learning Center Director Walter Hull.  "We are teaching kids about entrepreneurism, developing leadership skills, and donating to a different culture.  You couldn't ask for more."