LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — What started as a simple lemonade stand quickly turned into something bigger for 12-year-old Ahnalise Alvarez.
“I’ll just do lemonade. And my mom said that I could,” Alvarez said.
Her mother, Savannah Alvarez, said she was happy to see her daughter take initiative.
“I was actually really happy that she wanted to actually get out and do something in the sun,” Savannah Alvarez said.
From tent to business
“Usually just worked up from a tent, and then we have our little countertop. And then it just kept getting bigger and bigger,” Ahnalise Alvarez said.
As her stand, Pretty Paws Lemonade, grew, so did her impact.
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She donated a portion of what she made to local nonprofits.
“So we started with, my first idea was pet rescues,” Ahnalise Alvarez said.
“We’ve worked with Animal Help Alliance. We’ve worked with Forgotten Dogs Animal,” Savannah Alvarez said.
Outgrowing protections
As her business expanded beyond her neighborhood, so did the rules.
“So initially we were protected under the Child Lemonade Act,” Savannah Alvarez said. “We don’t fall under it because we perceive ourselves as a more permanent business now.”
While small lemonade stands are generally allowed in the state of Nevada, selling at larger markets typically requires permits and a business license.
Finding a way forward
Now, instead of selling lemonade, she’s finding another way forward.
“Yes, so the stickers we have are, they’re gonna be 10 bucks each, but you get a free lemonade with it. Because we are allowed to sell stickers, we just can’t sell lemonade. So, but we are allowed to give away lemonades for free,” Ahnalise Alvarez said.
The goal is to raise $1,400 to cover licensing, permits, and fees to operate legally.
“I know, like a lot of people have been saying, it’s a minor setback for a major comeback, which is going to be our next sticker,” Savannah Alvarez said.
Little CEO is hosting her drive-thru sticker fundraiser on Sunday from noon until sold out at 3140 Losee Rd, North Las Vegas, NV 89030.
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