‘Kidpreneur’ starts business at the age of 10

Being an entrepreneur in today’s society is being highly promoted across the world, because of the plethora of benefits it has on an individual’s life and their contribution to their families and their country.

Apart from the financial benefits, there are other positive outcomes of entrepreneurship. But is there an age criteria for a startup business?
An 11-year-old Guyanese boy believes that no one is too young to start a business since he started his own venture at the age of 10.

Last year, Orion Dolphin founded his own lemonade business “Orion’s Elemonator Stand” which is based in Georgetown.
In an interview with ‘The Buzz’, Orion said that he was inspired by his mom to take the entrepreneurial leap.

“I was encouraged by my mom to sign up for a business camp hosted by the Small Business Bureau, and started to develop my business plan and researched on a product, lemons, that is so essential for our health,” he said. “My Fresh lemonade drink is sugar-free but is sweetened with honey and infused with fresh fruits… I originally sold my first batch of lemonade at a local expo which became a big hit.” And from that expo, his business became popular and started to grow rapidly over the years.

Little Orion, who is a straight ‘A’ student at Mae’s Schools, said that he enjoys being a ‘kidpreneur’ because he can meet amazing customers and interact with them one on one, and provide a healthy and satisfying drink reminding people of the many health benefits of lemons.

“I strongly believe that ‘when life gives you lemons, make lemonade’, and that encourages optimism and a positive ‘can-do’ attitude in the face of adversity or misfortune… So get out there and be awesome and don’t forget there is power in the juice of laughter,” he said cheekily.

His mother, Sophia Dolphin said that as a single mom of three, her goal is to teach all three of her kids about entrepreneurship and create opportunities for them to start earning at an early age.

“I believe entrepreneurship is a huge but underused option, especially in our school curriculum. Teaching entrepreneurship to young kids equips them with the indispensable foundational knowledge and skills such as risk-taking and emotional intelligence. It also develops their appreciation for self-employment and financial stability,” Dolphin said.
And since the startup of Orion’s Elemonator Stand, she said she noticed significant changes in her son.

“He is more responsible and driven and can manage money better and he communicates well with his clients. He comes up with the ideas for his business, he does his own posting and even encourages his customers in this pandemic,” Orion’s mom said.

The ‘kidpreneur’ said his future plan is to expand promoting and providing more natural products and have his products bottled and on the shelves of all leading outlet. Notwithstanding his entrepreneurial dreams, Orion also aspires to be a pilot and own his own plane so he can help children in remote areas, and still run his own business.
Currently, the business works by orders and deliveries and he supports the local fruit/ lemon and honey farmers to make his lemonades.

“We currently sell the lemonade in reusable containers especially glass containers to promote recycling and protecting the environment so labelling/packaging is in the pipeline. And just a little secret, we have a new flavour coming soon – Blueberry Lemonade,” his mom disclosed.

His business falls under a division of Glosee Marketing Agency and that’s the website people can go to follow his business and journey.