Smile & Move™

My daughter and niece opened their lemonade stand at the front of
our neighborhood.

Lemonade stands were everywhere that weekend. All were raising money for cancer research; it was a community service effort, part of a city-wide program.

Sitting at a distance, watching the girls work as cars pulled over to patronize their stand, I noticed what seemed to be a less than positive and energetic approach to serving their customers. It reminded me of the adults that I've encountered in too many places, who seemed put out or moved with complete indifference.

In a lull between visitors I asked, "Why are you doing this lemonade stand, girls?"

"To get our community service hours for school," they said.

"Any other reasons?"

"To raise money for cancer."

"Right,” I said to their pre-teen eye roll. "Can you think of anything else?"

Silence.

"Dad, please."

This was a core value issue—one worth the effort and challenge. "These people are stopping to be served lemonade because they might be thirsty but also so they can help you help people with cancer. They're your customers and they have places to go but they're giving you their support, their time, and money.

You need to approach them happily, with a smile. And then you need to move quickly to get them their drink so they can enjoy it and move on.

You're not doing them a favor. They're doing you a favor. They don't have to buy the lemonade and they don't have to buy it from you. You need to smile and move, girls.

Smile & move."