BrightMinds Foundation, Inc. is happy to announce that Women Entrepreneurs Bryan College Station co-founders Amelia McCracken and Marie-Anne Holland will become co-city directors for the 10th anniversary of Lemonade Day B/CS!
Lemonade Day is a free, community-wide program dedicated to teaching children how to start, own, and operate their own business through the simple and time-honored act of building and running a lemonade stand. Lemonade Day B/CS was among the first to franchise the Houston-based nonprofit in 2010.
In making the announcement this week, WE B/CS co-founder and local daycare owner, Marie-Anne Holland, says, “I am thrilled to get to be the city director with my co-founder this year. There is no other organization I’ve supported more in terms of time and passion. I feel like I am finally coming full circle with Lemonade Day and I’m happy to be here to help celebrate its 10th year!”
In the past years, Lemonade Day B/CS has been able to partner with Jones Elementary and McFerrin students at Texas A&M University to mentor students. The mentors are paired with students weekly after school for six weeks and help them complete their business plans.
Marie-Anne has been volunteering on and off since 2011, when Lemonade Day B/CS partnered with the new entrepreneurial organization on the Texas A&M campus, the Entrepreneurial Society, now a chapter of the national organization Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization.
“I am beyond excited to keep spreading my passion for entrepreneurship to a younger generation. It’s a good time to learn about entrepreneurship, as the work landscape continues to change. We want children to know that there are many paths to success.”
Marie and Amelia founded a new organization in the Brazos Valley, Women Entrepreneurs B/CS, this summer. Their launch party drew more than 200 local women entrepreneurs to Suites on 6, a local coworking space.
Marie and Amelia hope to bring that same sense of excitement and community to Lemonade Day.
“We are hoping to bring fresh ideas and our business background to help refresh Lemonade Day just in time for its 10th birthday. It’s something we both wish we’d had as kids, and we hope it can teach kids to be more curious about the way things are done and always be looking for ways to make improvements, whether it’s with the community or inside an organization, and entrepreneurial spirit will get you far.”
Lemonade Day, scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2020, provides youth with free materials and support, thanks to local sponsors who recognize the significant benefits of teaching business skills early.
The city directors hope to attract other local small business owners this year to build a strong network of support for Lemonade Day. Parents usually want their kids to grow up to be like them, so it makes sense that local business owners would want to partner with Lemonade Day B/CS so that there is a local program for their child to participate in. Getting buy-in from local businesses will be vital this year.
More information about Lemonade Day B/CS can be found at www.linktr.ee/LemonadeDayBCS.
To meet these two business owners in person, head to Downtown Bryan this November First Friday to say “hi” and understand why they’re so passionate about entrepreneurship and bringing it to younger generations!