What started out as a game of pretend-play in the backyard, turned into a mini-business for young Bradford entrepreneur Ariella Morrone.
Ariella has been operating 'Gem's Lemonade Stand' every week in the summer and is preparing for her final 'shift' this Sunday.
The name of the business was picked by Ariella. Gem is the nickname her parents call her.
Mom Tarila says her daughter has always been very outgoing and enjoys interacting with others, so her 'job' this summer was a great way for her to exercise her social skills.
"She loves playing pretend, and selling stuff," said Tarila. "The idea was to set it up in the backyard and we (Tarila and her husband) were going to be her customers."
But when their backyard became unusable due to landscaping work, they decided to move the lemonade stand to the front.
"So I said okay, maybe we can sell to the neighbourhood and she got excited about that," said Tarila.
After her first successful shift, Ariella was exhausted.
"Ariella never naps, and she took a long nap that day," laughed Tarila. "She got her first taste of a summer job."
But the exhaustion didn't deter her from continuing to show up every week. She looked forward to coming back and selling fresh lemonade to her neighbours.
"The turnout was really great," said Tarila, "Marketing it was hard because the weather was unpredictable."
One weekend, Tarila told Ariella that she couldn't sell lemonade due to unfavourable weather. Tarila says Ariella had a "meltdown" and begged her mom to sell anyway.
"That's when I knew it meant more to her than I thought," said Tarila. "So I had to scramble, and she did end up selling that day."
The lemonade is made from frozen mixed with fresh lemon slices "just to change it up a little."
Ariella's entrepreneurial spirit comes naturally, just like Tarila's, who owns her own kid's fashion business, Hearts of Gems.
When Ariella was just two years old, she told her mom how proud she was of her work, which is something Tarila has never forgotten.
Ariella is always wearing the clothing her mom designs and helps promote it whenever she gets the opportunity.
"She's like my little ambassador," said Tarila. "I hope she sees me and is inspired in some way, but it's not something I would try to push on her."
Ariella is part of the 'Youth Entrepreneur Program' that was launched earlier this year by local business owner Mark Snaper of Eye Candy Ads. The program offers young business owners free advertising on his electronic billboard on Bridge Street, as well as free business coaching and advice.
Ariella was excited to see her picture on the billboard and went to take a photo in front of it earlier this week.
"She was so proud of herself, and was really happy about that," said Tarila.
And what does Ariella want to buy with all her earnings from the summer lemonade stand?
A phone, of course.
"But that's not happening," laughed Tarila. "We are just saving it for her in a special account for her until she gets a better sense of money and how she can use it in a way that is useful to her."
Ariella is excited to be heading to Kindergarten this fall.
"She has been looking forward to getting on the school bus and going to school since she was three," said Tarila.
'Gem's Lemonade Stand' will be open for its final shift of the season this Sunday, Aug. 22 on Gosnel Circle starting at 3 p.m.