Today we’d like to introduce you to Bailey Kinney.
Hi Bailey, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
It is an honor for me to join the Lemonade Day team. The mission of this organization means so much to me as it combines my business and non-profit experience. After selling my educational toy store several years ago, I reentered the non-profit sector to give back to the fantastic city of Houston. Lemonade Day has an excellent track record. Using the program’s hands-on business steps, we can help youth ignite their own entrepreneurial sparks, which in turn will change the future of our communities, one child at a time. Because the Lemonade Day program began here, the greater Houston metro area needs to always shine brightly as a leader in rallying participants and serving as an example for other cities. I am eager to grow the Lemonade Day Program in Houston alongside our staff, volunteers, sponsors, and youth partners.
My entrepreneurial spark was ignited in the summer approaching fourth grade when I decided to provide my parents’ coworkers with a tasty and easily accessible lunch at their desks. I teamed up with a friend, created a menu, took orders, shopped for supplies, and assembled meals in my kitchen at home. My business buddy and I then delivered lunches on our bikes every day.
I fondly recall the feeling of satisfaction that accompanied earning my own money, making a profit, and having fun!
Owning a children’s toy store for over eight years helped me fulfill my passion for entrepreneurship. I will always treasure the leadership skills and relationships that I was able to form through that experience. The store is thriving today, and I am proud of how it has evolved under new ownership.
Prior to joining Lemonade Day, I served as the Interim Executive Director and Development Director for the Nature Discovery Center in Bellaire. I purchased Toys to Love in 2008 and sold the company in 2016. Before and after owning my specialty toy company, I worked with children’s toy and gifts stores around the country as a Representative and Sales Manager with Dallas-based Diverse Marketing. Before the toy industry, I worked in the non-profit sector for the Contemporary Art Museum and Rice University.
I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Learning Development from The University of Texas College of Education in Austin, Texas. I actively participate in various community and charitable initiatives, including St. John’s the Divine Church, Lamar High School, and volunteering for numerous non-profits through the National Charity League. My favorite way to spend my time is with my family in any activity such as cooking, playing tennis, long walks with our dog, or traveling!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Throughout my career. I have been blessed to have had the amazing opportunities to work in fields alongside the Houston Community, primarily centered in child development. There have been bumps along the way, but I believe they have made me the person I am today.
One example was when I purchased my toy store. The center was under construction, and the first four months were extremely challenging and made me wonder if I had made the right decision. The store endured a flood, a gas leak, a burglary, and new construction on the street entering the store. These obstacles were tough while learning the role of a store owner and leading new staff. I was also trying to be a well-balanced wife and mother of two toddlers. It was a juggling act, to say the least!
But all in all, it taught me more grit than I knew I had. I pushed through the first couple of years through faith and the support of family and friends. The outcome was beautiful, and I would not change the experience for the world!
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Lemonade Day?
Founded in Houston in 2007 by entrepreneur Michael Holthouse and his wife, Lisa, Lemonade Day is a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching every child across North America important business and financial skills that are the critical ingredients of entrepreneurship. By learning these skills early in life, children will be better prepared to be successful, financially healthy adults. Through the fun, free, hands-on Lemonade Day program, kindergarteners through fifth-graders are empowered to start, own, and operate their own business, a lemonade stand! Lemonade Day participants keep the money they earn after paying back their investors and are encouraged to spend some, save some, and share some of their profit with a cause that matters to them.
Lemonade Day has expanded to 84 licensed markets in 31 states, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Bermuda, along with six U.S. military bases. More than one million children and thousands of adult mentors have participated in Lemonade Day since 2007. Adults can register children to participate in Lemonade Day and give them a taste of the sweet success that comes with launching their own business. For more information, visit lemonadeday.org.
As the Lemonade Day Houston, Executive Director I am responsible for organizing, promoting, and raising money for the Lemonade Day youth entrepreneurship program. The program entails hosting Lemonade Day events in the greater Houston metropolitan area throughout the year and ending with our official Lemonade Day. The day is for all youth entrepreneurs to showcase their business and receive support from the entire city, including the mayor and city council. Our goal for 2021 goal is to meet or exceed 3,500 registrations for the July 17 showcase event. Kids who participate in Lemonade Day have free access to My Lemonade Day, a new game-like digital learning app created to engage kids in the Lemonade Day curriculum in a fun and rewarding way.
I work with and recruit ambassadors and volunteers, corporate and individual sponsorships, and community partnerships with schools and youth organizations to get involved in Lemonade Day Houston this year and in the future. This critical business literacy program remains accessible to all children, and support from the community is crucial to ensuring success in this entrepreneurial experience that can change a child’s life. To find out more about an extensive range of possibilities for supporting Lemonade Day Houston, please check out www.lemonadeday.org/houston.
Typically, Lemonade Day events in past years have happened during the first weekend in May. However, because of the pandemic, Lemonade Day 2020 ‘pivoted’ to include virtual lemonade stands, actual lemonade stands that complied with pandemic protocols, and other kid-friendly businesses like dog-walking, pet-sitting, or making and selling jewelry. As we move forward this summer, neighborhoods, parks, shopping centers, business centers, animal shelters, and museums are just some of the many places where kids will be hosting their lemonade stands in person!
I am looking forward to witnessing excited young people having a positive and profitable experience after this past year. I can’t wait to see rows of creative lemonade stand designs and taste cup after cup of delicious lemonade.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I believe in taking smart risks in life. I have taken many risks in my career, mainly through switching fields. Buying and selling my toy store are the two most significant risks I can think of at this point in my life.
The experiences were frightening, but I had to depend on my faith in the Lord to know each milestone would work out and be best for my family.
It takes a giant leap to believe you can do something else in life, especially in your forties! I am thrilled that I ran a profitable business and was able to sell it to a wonderful owner today. But it was scary giving up something that I had worked so hard on for so long.
Entering the non-profit sector again is the right fit for me in this stage of my life, and I am honored to use my past experiences to impact our wonderful city.
The risk was worth it, as I witness Lemonade Day’s impact on the youth in Houston and know they will grow up to run a store or business of their own!
Pricing:
- Donations at any level are appreciated!
Contact Info:
- Email: bailey@lemonadeday.org
- Website: www.lemonadeday.org/houston
- Instagram: lemonadedayhouston
- Facebook: lemonadedayhouston
- Twitter: lemonadedayhou
- Youtube: Lemonade Day
