A Little Boy’s Big Heart: His Lemonade Stand Has Raised $35K to Help Shelter Pets in Need
Julian Lin's passion for helping animals led to a 'business' to aid the Best Friends Animal Society
Julian Lin was known as the “mayor” of his preschool, and the outgoing little boy was loved by all the kids and staff. When he was 4, Julian knew the names of all the doormen at his family’s Upper West Side home in New York City, and he became friendly with a man operating a street fruit stand. “Can I have a job?” the eager child asked the fruit stand owner, who joked, “Where’s your résumé, kid?”
Julian went home and created a preschooler’s version of a résumé with markers and got an unofficial job handing out bags for people to carry their fruit and sweeping up leaves. Serving people just made Julian happy.
How Julian’s lemonade stand supports shelter pets
A few years later, Julian—who stops dogs on the streets to pet them and ask their names—had an enterprising idea: How about I start my own business and help animals who need homes?
Shortly after, Julian launched his “business,” aptly called Julian Businessman, which donates 30% of the net proceeds of everything he earns to Best Friends Animal Society.
In the summer months, Julian sets up a lemonade stand in New York’s Upper West Side and sells lemonade. With his mom, Julie Meerschwam, standing by, Julian runs his lemonade business once a month from two tables with a banner and tablecloths. He adds boba bubbles, lemon slices and other garnishes to cups of cool lemonade.
Where to support Julian’s cause
In the winter, Julian peddles hot chocolate instead of lemonade. And year-round, people can buy merchandise, like a coffee mug and shirt, on his website, JulianBusinessman.com.
To date, Julian, now 10, has raised more than $35,000 for Best Friends Animal Society.
“Julian is such an incredible young man. He’s got a head for business and a heart to help animals and people,” says Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends. “If Julian’s the future, the world is definitely in good hands. We are so inspired by Julian and grateful for all he’s contributed to Best Friends.”
Julian’s proud mother says that Julian would make a great CEO someday. He has ambitious, noble goals to end homelessness and hunger on a global scale. “He has an appetite for action and doing things for good,” she says. “He views business as very much a path to improving people’s lives.”
Julian says that someone has to help the animals and people, so why not him? “I’m just trying to be that person who’s going to help,” Julian says. “Profit drives me a little bit, but mostly it’s a feeling that I can make a difference. And when I make a difference, it gives me a rush of satisfaction!”
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