Lemonade, Leadership, and Learning: Portland Youth Shine on Lemonade Day 2025
On August 2, Portland’s streets and community spaces were filled with the sweet scent of citrus and the buzz of youthful ambition as Lemonade Day returned for its third year. Hosted by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metro and supported by Comcast, the event gave local youth a chance to launch their own lemonade stand businesses—learning entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and leadership in the process.
From the Gresham Xfinity store to neighborhood parks, brightly decorated stands popped up across the city, each one a testament to the creativity and drive of Portland’s next generation of entrepreneurs.
Empowering Young Entrepreneurs
“Seeing kids being able to create something for themselves…I think it’s really powerful,” said Terry Johnson, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metro. “The creativity that our youth bring to Lemonade Day is really inspiring—logos, jingles, marketing strategies. These are 8- to 10-year-olds thinking like CEOs.”
This year’s event built on the success of previous years. In 2023, five teams competed for a prize pool of $7,500. By 2024, participation had doubled, and in 2025, the program expanded even further, with Comcast helping scale the initiative to new locations and providing mentorship through its employee volunteer program.
Comcast’s Commitment to Community
“Volunteering for Lemonade Day was one of the most fulfilling experiences yet,” said Sonja Muchen, Comcast volunteer and Senior Analyst, Intake & Operations Strategy. “Guiding kids through financial literacy and entrepreneurship was inspiring, especially watching their creativity shine through marketing and sales.”
Comcast’s involvement is part of its broader commitment to digital equity and community impact. Through partnerships like this, the company connects digital skills with economic opportunity, ensuring youth have the tools to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
Sonja noted, “My team, the Lemon Gamers, brought their favorite video games to life with themed flavors and pitches. From taking orders to promoting their stand, they truly ran the show. I’m excited to support future Lemonade Day events with the Boys & Girls Clubs!”
Looking Ahead
With each passing year, Lemonade Day grows not just in size, but in significance. It’s a celebration of youth potential, a hands-on lesson in entrepreneurship, and a reminder of what’s possible when communities come together to support their future leaders.
Reflecting on the event, Terry Johnson shared, “We’re so grateful to everyone who came out to support these young entrepreneurs. Every cup of lemonade purchased was a vote of confidence in their ideas, their hard work, and their futures. The community’s enthusiasm made this year’s Lemonade Day truly special.”