More than lemonade.

I read something about a week ago at a blog I check periodically, that has stuck with me every day since. It seems particularly fitting to think about in this, the first quarter, of the new year. I will attempt to do it justice here, but all credit goes to the author and blogger, Seth Godin.

It's a story of two lemonade stands. The first stand is run by two kids. They use name brand lemonade mix, paper cups and a card table. The kids are sweet and smile a lot and run the stand in the classic way kids have always run lemonade stands. Each cup costs a dollar, which is maybe a lot, but worth the investment when you figure you're supporting two of the minds of tomorrow.

At the other stand, the lemonade is free, but has a big tip jar. The owner of the stand smiles brightly, takes her time making the lemonade from scratch with water, sugar and fresh lemons, which she squeezes with a hand squeezer. It takes longer, but the smell of the lemon juice makes your mouth water, and she tells you she's going to cut back on the sugar just a little because it tastes better that way. She fills a glass with ice, adds the lemon juice, sugar and water. The whole time, she talks to you joyfully about how the lemonade will change your day. She takes her time, she says, because lemonade shouldn't be rushed. It should be made right or not at all.

                             — by Chris Quinn


While she's talking to you, several cars pass by, see you at the table and stop to see what the attraction is. A line forms. You don't notice, though, because you're entranced. It's the prettiest glass of lemonade you ever saw. You realize there are people waiting, so you take the lemonade, grab your wallet and put $5 in the jar, because your free lemonade was worth twice that. Well, maybe not the lemonade alone, but the whole experience was so enchanting, it touched you. It changed you.

Now which of these entrepreneurs do you think has the greatest potential for success?

What's the lesson?

There are lots of them. One certainly is that doing things the same way everyone else does doesn't cut it. Another is that passion sells and so does extreme attention to detail into the customer experience. Something to think about, isn't it?

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