What happens when you mix family bonding, Black entrepreneurship, and artificial intelligence? In our case, you get one sweet and tangy mission to win a lemonade stand competition with the help of AI, and hopefully inspire other families to do the same.

When I first heard about the contest, I saw more than a chance to sell lemonade. I saw an opportunity to teach my granddaughter, age 7, valuable life skills, from money management to customer service, while creating cherished memories across three generations. Her mom and I agreed this was going to be a family affair.

But we didn’t stop there. We decided to bring in an unexpected business partner, artificial intelligence.

A Menu Designed to Impress the Judges

Sure, we’ll have classic lemonade, but AI encouraged us to go further. We’re creating herb-infused flavors like basil lemon, mint ginger, and lavender honey. We’re adding fruit boosts such as strawberry lemon, watermelon lemon, and blueberry lemon. We’ll even have sparkling upgrades for a fizzy twist, a zero-sugar option for health-conscious customers, and flavor flights with three mini cups so judges can sample our range. These variations taste amazing and score points for creativity.

A Stand That Attracts and Engages

AI also helped us plan an eye-catching stand design. We’ll use a portable canopy with hand-painted wooden signage, glass jars filled with colorful fruit and herbs, and compostable cups to show our commitment to sustainability. A QR code on the front will link to a behind-the-scenes video of us making the lemonade. The look is simple but elevated, something that makes people stop, smile, and take photos.

Marketing and Community Engagement

To win over judges and customers, AI suggested a live lemon-squeezing demo so everyone can see the process, social media teasers posted the night before the event, an interactive flavor poll via QR code, and music to create a relaxing atmosphere. This transforms our stand from a simple drink table into an experience.

Teaching Kids Business Skills

We’ll each have roles. The lead mixologist will oversee flavor-making, the cashier and greeter will run the POS and welcome guests, and the runner will keep supplies fresh and the space clean. Even though it’s just lemonade, this teaches kids about organization, teamwork, and leadership.

Why This Matters for Black Families

This isn’t just about lemonade. It’s about planting seeds of entrepreneurship in our children. For Black families, where representation in business ownership is still growing, small ventures like this can spark big dreams. Kids get to practice math with real money, learn marketing basics, build confidence by speaking to strangers, and see that their ideas have value in the marketplace. For us adults, it’s a chance to pass down skills, encourage creativity, and strengthen family bonds.

If you’re interested in following our journey, or want to learn how to do this for your own child, follow us and sign up for our newsletter. You’ll get each post in this series as soon as it’s published.

Winning would be sweet, but even if we don’t take first place, this experience is already a success. It’s proof that family, creativity, and a little tech magic can turn a simple lemonade stand into a powerful learning moment—and maybe even a lifelong love for business.