'Lemonade Day' is meant to promote entrepreneurship among children
During his failed bid for mayor last year, John Georges highlighted what he described as his rags-to-riches story of building a small family business into a billion-dollar corporation.
View full size"As a boy (John Georges) worked in his father's warehouse, sweeping the floors and loading the trucks," the narrator said as Nike Georges re-enacted the moment."As a boy he worked in his father's warehouse, sweeping the floors and loading the trucks," the narrator said as Nike re-enacted the moment.
This week, Georges offered a different take on how he launched his empire.
"Forty years ago, I got my first taste of business by opening my own lemonade stand," the millionaire announces in a radio spot for "Lemonade Day," a life-skills program designed to build confidence and self-esteem in children by promoting entrepreneurship.
"I remember building my first stand, even perfecting my own lemonade recipe. But what I remember most was the feeling of having a little money in my pocket," he says, with no mention of a warehouse or loading dock.
Georges Enterprises is one of several local companies sponsoring the program that aims to register 100,000 lemonade stands, including 5,000 in southern Louisiana, by May 7. In his public service message, Georges urges participants to sign up so they can "spend a little, save a little and share a little" by donating some profits to charity.
"My lemonade stand taught me the importance of working hard, playing hard and following my dreams," says Georges, who owns a share in Galatoire's, one of New Orleans' iconic restaurants, as well as companies that distribute groceries, service oil-industry vessels and supply video-poker machines. "Today, my drive is still there."
Frank Donze can be reached at fdonze@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3328.
