It’s not unusual that a business owner chatting with a customer and fellow business owner evolves into a business partnership. What’s different is that the customer is 6 years old.
Christopher Pandzich, 6, is participating in SBAM-supported Lemonade Day Detroit June 8. Lemonade Day is a free, community-wide program dedicated to teaching children how to start, own and operate their own business through running a lemonade stand. With an assist from sister Madison, 15, and a little help from mom and dad, Marian and Luke Pandzich, Christopher is operating AwesomeAde Depot at 1161 Shenandoah Drive during the Clawson City-Wide Garage Sale June 8.
Christopher will support his new partner, Treat Dreams, by selling the ice cream and dessert shop’s newest specialty flavor, AwesomeAde Lemon Sorbet, available at the Ferndale shop for a limited time. In turn, Treat Dreams will donate proceeds from store sales of AwesomeAde Lemon Sorbet to the charity of Christopher’s choosing.
Treat Dreams is the Southeast Michigan leader in innovative ice creams and custom desserts. Created in small batches on site, the company’s exotic flavor combinations use local ingredients and vendors whenever possible.
“AwesomeAde Lemon Sorbet is a no-brainer for us,” said Scott Moloney, owner of Treat Dreams. “The initiative this family took in coming in to talk to me, and the way the parents have embraced teaching their kids the lesson of entrepreneurship, is wonderful to see. We’re very happy to support the Metro Detroit community, especially our kids.”
Lemonade Day encourages its young entrepreneurs to spend a little, save a little, and share a little. When Christopher operated the first AwesomeAde Depot in 2011, he asked his customers to write down their favorite charity and place it in a box. At the end of the day, he drew a winner. When all was said and done, he bought new LEGOs, put $160 in his new savings account and donated $160 to the Michigan Humane Society. This year, he will donate the proceeds from AwesomeAde Lemon Sorbet to the Spina Bifida Association of America as a tribute to dad Luke, who has Spina Bifida.
“Christopher said, ‘I don’t want anyone else to have pain like you do, Dad,’ ” Luke Pandzich explained, adding, “Treat Dreams has been wonderful. Scott’s generosity in doing a special flavor and donating the proceeds helps give Christopher and Madison a whole new perspective on running a business: Forming a partnership.”
Treat Dreams, located at 22965 Woodward Avenue in Ferndale, is currently selling AwesomeAde Lemon Sorbet. AwesomeAde Depot will be open for business on at 1161 Shenandoah Drive in Clawson June 8, noon-3:30 p.m.
To register, or learn about ways that everyone can get involved in Lemonade Day Detroit June 8, please visit detroit.lemonadeday.org. For information about sponsorships, partnerships or donations, please contact Emily Paraskevin at 586.219.4014 or eparaskevin@jrturnbull.com.