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Houston, TX and Lomita, CA (October 6, 2022) - After another successful Lemonade Day this past summer, the Lomita community has even more to celebrate as it recently received two awards from Lemonade Day National at its conference in Houston.

Lomita Chamber of Commerce President/CEO, Heidi Butzine along with fellow Lemonade Day leaders from cities across the country had the opportunity to attend the conference where this year’s national winners were announced.

Lomita’s local youth entrepreneur of the year, Pearl DiMassa, Owner of Lucky Lemonade Co. won 1st Runner Up for 2022 National Youth Entrepreneur of the Year, not only for her business achievements, but for demonstrating leadership and customer service skills, a passion to stand by her idea and put in the work, willingness to improvise, and being open to new opportunities.

Clearly, Lomita has quite a few motivated and talented young entrepreneurs as last year’s local entrepreneur Brianna Garcia of Bri’s Frozen Lemonades won the national title for youth entrepreneur of the year - the Lomita Chamber’s first year launching Lemonade Day together with the City of Lomita.

Lomita also won the award this year for the Small City Most Business Results. Kids enrolled in the program are expected to submit their business results reporting on their revenue, profit and philanthropic goals as the program instills the importance of entrepreneurs giving back to their community. Results are also used to determine eligible winners of the Lemmy Awards and prizes.

“The program is not just about putting up a lemonade stand and making money,” said Butzine. Lemonade Day is a free summer business program that teaches youth important business, financial, character-building, and life skills that are the key ingredients of entrepreneurship.

Founded in 2007 in Houston, Texas by entrepreneur and philanthropist, Michael Holthouse, Lemonade Day plays a vital role in the education and workforce ecosystem. Mr. Holthouse was inspired by his young daughter who wanted to get a turtle, so she started a lemonade stand to pay for it which led to creating the youth entrepreneur program now licensed in 86 markets in the United States and Canada.

“It was an honor to represent Lomita at Lemonade Day National and we’re so proud of our young entrepreneurs and families,” said Butzine. “We have an amazing group of passionate and highly motivated volunteers, mentors and sponsors who gave their time, dollars and support to make Lemonade Day happen. We’re bigger and better together.”

Lemonade Day Lomita is scheduled for July 21, 2023. Registration will open in early 2023. For more information, visit LemonadeDay.org/lomita.

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