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CCSS: 4.MD.A.2, 5.NBT.B.7

TEKS: 5.3K

Lemonade Maker

Mikaila Ulmer makes sweet lemonade to help bees!

Courtesy of Me and the Bees

Mikaila started with just a lemonade stand. Now she sells her drinks in stores across the country!

When Mikaila Ulmer was 4 years old, she was stung by bees. “I became terrified of them,” she says. Mikaila’s parents had her learn about bees to overcome her fear. She learned that our food supply relies on bees, but many species are dying out.

That same summer, Mikaila was looking for a way to earn money. She flipped through a cookbook her great-granny had given her and found a recipe for lemonade. Mikaila decided to make and sell that lemonade, but with a special ingredient: honey!

When Mikaila Ulmer was 4 years old, she was stung by bees. “I became terrified of them,” she says. Mikaila’s parents told her to learn about bees. They thought it would make her less afraid. She learned that bees are an important part of growing the food we eat. But many species are dying out.

That same summer, Mikaila was looking for a way to earn money. She flipped through a cookbook her great-granny had given her. In it, she found a recipe for lemonade. Mikaila decided to make and sell that lemonade. But she made it with a special ingredient: honey!

Courtesy of Me and the Bees

Buzzy Business

At first, Mikaila sold her lemonade from a stand in front of her house in Austin, Texas. She donated a portion of every sale to bee organizations. Mikaila was soon hooked on running her business and helping bees. After a few years, she wanted to grow her business. So she went on the TV show Shark Tank when she was 10 years old. She scored money to help her get started!

Mikaila grew her company, Me & the Bees, from one  lemonade stand to a national multimillion-dollar beverage company. Today Mikaila is studying business at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. She is still chief executive officer, but her parents are helping run the business while she’s at college.

At first, Mikaila sold her lemonade from a stand. She set up her stand in front of her house in Austin, Texas. She donated part of every sale to bee organizations. Mikaila loved running her business. She also loved helping bees. She ran the lemonade stand for a few years. But then she wanted to grow her business. So she went on the TV show Shark Tank. She was 10 years old at the time. On the show, Mikaila won money to help her get started!

Mikaila called her company Me & the Bees. It grew from one lemonade stand to a national drink company that makes millions of dollars. Today Mikaila is studying business. She attends Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. She is still chief executive officer. But her parents are helping run the business while she’s at college.

Bee Friendly

Courtesy of Me and the Bees

Me & the Bees has also donated thousands of dollars to help bees. In 2017, Mikaila took helping bees one step further. She started a nonprofit called the Healthy Hive Foundation. It helps bees through research, education, and protection. “We teach bee workshops for kids and turn unused land into bee-friendly land,” she says. For Mikaila, one of the best parts of her business is the positive effect it has—both on people and the bees.

Me & the Bees has also donated thousands of dollars to help bees. In 2017, Mikaila took helping bees one step further. She started a nonprofit. It’s called the Healthy Hive Foundation. It helps bees through research, education, and protection. “We teach bee workshops for kids and turn unused land into bee-friendly land,” she says. For Mikaila, one of the best parts of her business is the positive effect it has. It helps both people and bees.

Analysis

Answer the questions below.

Answer the questions below.

What item did you give the lowest price? The highest price? Explain why.

What item did you give the lowest price? The highest price? Explain why.

How much would it cost to buy one of each item on your lemonade menu?

How much would it cost to buy one of each item on your lemonade menu?

If you had $5 to spend at a classmate’s lemonade stand, what would you buy? Add up how much you would spend. Would you have any money left over?

If you had $5 to spend at a classmate’s lemonade stand, what would you buy? Add up how much you would spend. Would you have any money left over?

nonprofit

<p>A public business dedicated to a social cause</p>

chief executive officer

<p>The highest-ranking person in a company who is responsible for making major decisions, often referred to as the CEO</p>

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