Believe it or not, I started The Lemon Jar with $8.00.
You read that right... 8 bucks.
I bought a bag of lemons, a small bag of sugar, a gallon of water, a small bag of ice, and a pack of cups from the dollar store. I set up a small folding table and a camping chair under a pop up tent I borrowed in that same dollar store parking lot. (With permission, of course)
I did this for weeks. Each day taking the earnings I made and buying a little bit more. Over some time, I gained a little following and was able to buy my own tent. That was a really cool moment for me.
Now, I run a full scale business. I make lemonade using only fresh ingredients (no syrups, dyes, or artificial flavorings). I make, preserve, and sell some of the products I use in my specialty lemonades and am currently working on a dessert catering menu for some big events I have been invited to vend at over the fall and winter months. I'm also working on a few other collaborations on other ventures, but we'll save those for another day when the time is right.
My point isn't to toot my own horn or pat myself on the back. It's to show you that if you ever wanted to start a business, you can, and you can do it with what you already have. I started with $8.00. If you don't have anyone in your life encouraging you to just go do the thing, let it be me. I'm happy to be the bestie that tells you that your dream of breeding salamanders or collecting butterfly toots for profit doesn't sound silly at all. If you're passionate about making it work, you will. You'll always find a way.
I want this to be a space of honesty and transparency. Life isn't always easy. I'm not immune to the struggles, the feelings of doubt, or feeling discouraged from time to time. I definitely don't live a picture perfect life. What I do have, I hold close and what I want, I work hard for. I surround myself with people that I respect and I learn from those who came before me. I want you all to know that life is what you make of it. Your choices are a reflection of that. Accountability is everything. Be honest with yourself always and everything else will fall into place exactly how it was meant to.
