AROUND
CAMPUS Squeezy Breezy Lemonade
Maybe it’s her special recipe: freshsqueezed lemon juice, Minute Maid natural lemonade and fresh mint from her backyard garden, garnished with lemon and strawberry slices – or maybe it’s her bubbly personality, but something is working for this young entrepreneur. She was recently featured in an article in Northeast Ohio Inside Business Magazine on “kidpreneurs.”
Entrepreneurship is just part of the culture at Gilmour.
Students today have an idea and think nothing of putting it in play thanks to the efforts of Deanne Nowak, Ph.D., who has been spearheading the entrepreneurship program at Gilmour since 2008. “We’re always looking for ways to inspire students in real-world contexts. Moving from business ideas to viable opportunities requires students to analyze, evaluate, communicate, solve problems and learn independently. “Most importantly, the process cultivates creativity and grit; instead of fearing failure, students recognize it as an opportunity for growth. I’ve enjoyed watching some of our most timid students grow into confident, competent, business leaders and am delighted to see the strong focus on social entrepreneurship.” Nowak says. And this entrepreneurial spirit is not limited to the Upper School. Students of all ages are joining the fun.
Fearless
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FALL / WINTER 2015
After this initial success, Merielle set up her stand at Shaker Square’s Farmers’ Market over the summer and, despite bad weather, again recorded great profits – $96.58.
Lower School student Merielle William ’27, first began thinking about starting a business after participating in the Lemonade Day program at the Lower School last year. She set up her first lemonade stand at a Youth Marketplace held at University School and was the hit of the marketplace. She sold 54 cups at $2 each and ran out of lemonade with a line of people still waiting at her stand.
Another Gilmour student is working on building another brand – her own. Quinn L’Esperance ’19 recently recorded her first album. Called “Fearless,” it is a compilation of pop covers and one original, called “Fearless,” written by a songwriter from Los Angeles.
And the best part is that, amidst the lessons she has learned about financial management, profits, marketing and self-confidence, Merielle has learned that even more fun than making money is being able to give some away. She donated a portion of her profits to the Gilmour Lower School for its garden and some to her church. As she makes more money in the years ahead, she’d like to donate to cancer research, as her father is a hematologist/ oncologist and a cancer investigator.
The album is available on iTunes, Amazon and at cdbaby.com. L’Esperance sings at various restaurants and performance venues around town, including Valenti’s; Happy Dog; the Wine Bar, in Parma; and The Grove, in Mayfield Heights. Her album is always available for sale at her live performances.
