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When life gives you lemons, make lemonade, and don’t let anyone stop you from selling them and making a fortune. Brothers Ethan, 13, Seth, 11, and Jonathan, 8, have been running their store, Triple M Goods, and selling lemonade at the local farmers market for years.
The family was shocked when local officials told them they needed a biweekly permit which would cost $57.With the warm summer season in Michigan, which runs from June to August, lemonade stands have become a common sight as kids look to earn a little extra pocket money during their school vacation. Selling lemonade for just 50 cents a cup, the boys had to sell hundreds of cups just to recoup the permit fee.The boys didn’t have money, but they had courage and perseverance – an important lesson they teach you in B schools. With the help of their mother, the younger siblings reached out to State Rep. Cam Cavett, which led to a bill to end permit requirements for minors who sell lemonade and earn less than $5,000 a year.The Mielke alsp family testified before the Michigan House Regulatory Reform Committee in support of the bill.
The bill was approved in the House of Representatives last week and is now in the Senate for approval.“I told him about the fees my brothers would have to pay and gave him letters we had written. He said he would help us figure out how to change this law. We hope this bill gets voted on and passes so other kids like us don’t have to pay fees to sell lemonade,” 13-year-old Ethan said, according to the Michigan Republican Party.When news of the success reached the children, they were excited, their mother, Jessica, told the Washington Post.
“It was a very cool experience for them to see how the process works when you have an idea or want to change the law.”What’s even more interesting is how both Republicans and Democrats came together to pass the bill unanimously.For generations, lemonade stands have been an American childhood tradition as a first lesson in making money, dealing with customers, and learning the basics of the business. According to New York Boots, some US states allow these positions to operate without permits.
