Tween entrepreneurs hope for sales push before charity lemonade stand closes for final time

This story has been amended reflecting the correct amount the J&J Lemonade Stand and charities they have donated to. Energeticcity.ca is happy to set the record straight.

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A pair of pint-sized entrepreneurs are hoping an appeal on social media will translate into more traffic for a good cause.

Just 10 years old, Josiah Ojokojo was inspired to begin a lemonade business when having a conversation during a 100th day event at his school back in 2022.

“Our teacher asked everyone ‘what would you do with $100?’,” said Ojokojo. “Most people gave answers [such as] buy a Lamborghini or [a] TV.

“I said I’d start a lemonade stand and buy supplies to make money.”

Ojokojo was assisted by his 12-year-old sister, Ja’bria, who, according to their mother Crystal Harrison, displays the “management skills” to make J&J Lemonade Stand run.

With a social media presence, the siblings quickly generated a following. With a keen awareness of giving back to the community, nine per cent of money raised has gone to charitable causes.

Harrison says throughout their three-year run, the pair have gone to various regional events including the Doig River Rodeo and Hudson’s Hope Rodeo, selling lemonade, freezies and other confectionaries. 

They were helped in getting to events by their aunt, Valerie Crook, who operated a food truck.

Mom has estimated they have raised a combined $600 for causes such as the Fort St. John Women’s Resource Society and the Indian Residential School Survivors Society and Salvation Army Food Bank.

Senior citizen home Abbeyfield House will be the recipient of this year’s proceeds, according to a Facebook post.

“[We did this] so we can give back to the community that gave to us,” said Ojokojo.

However, with mom being unable to travel due to health problems and their aunt giving up the food truck business, traffic has slowed. The siblings expect this will be their last year running the stand. 

With just over a week to go before closing, they are hoping community members in search of a late summer treat stop by.

J&J Lemonade Stand is open between 2 p.m and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, up until August 29th at 10420 96th Avenue in the City Center Trailer Park.

Follow J&J Lemonade Stand on Facebook for further details.