Duck Duck Gray Duck – A Look At Marketing In Minnesota

Near 50th and France Ave., there is a lemonade stand that is giving away free lessons in marketing. Twelve-year-old Ethan Esparza has been in buisness for nearly five years now (most new businesses make it that long) and has grown it on a solid foundation of simple, yet sound, marketing principles: dress for success, location-location-location, good product, simple pricing, and a genuine care for his customers. It’s worked so well that some people simply just give him money for being nice. This tells me that customers these days are desperate to be treated well.In the past four summers, this little lemonade slinger has raked in nearly $3000. Not bad for a one-man shop selling a beverage for 25 cents. Keep an eye on this one. We may see him on the cover of Forbes one day. He already has plans for a cafe and a line of kid-friendly cleaning supplies. Check out his webpage to request an autographed picture and get a copy of his first book, “Money from Lemons.” This story was also recently featured on Kare 11 (NBC affiliate). Check out the video here.