Koen Andrews understands the importance of good marketing. He drew up signs and flyers himself. Photo: Rebecca Mauger.
Everyone knows the housing market is tight, but one Figtree entrepreneur is getting a start on saving for his deposit early.
Five-year-old Koen Andrews hasn’t started big school yet, but recently learnt the way to buy things is to make and save money.
“He has quite a complex little brain, he’s a big thinker, and the other day he just asked me, ‘How do I get money in my wallet?'” his mum, Ashleigh, explained.
“I told him, ‘You have to work for it, and there are lots of things kids can do, like washing cars or having a lemonade stand.'”
He wasted no time in asking his mum to help him establish a pop-up lemonade stand, and spent two weeks designing and delivering flyers to advertise his business.
“My partner and I were a bit worried he’d be so excited and it might turn out to be a bit of a disappointment on the day, but so many people were happy to support him,” Ashleigh said.
“Our street is a cul-de-sac and everyone came out. One neighbour even baked a batch of cupcakes for him to sell and brought them over the night before.
“As well as making and delivering flyers, making lemonade and baking his own cupcakes, on the day it was three hours of work, serving customers, taking money and saying thank you – by the end he was asking for his lunch break, he was exhausted!
“He definitely learnt the importance of hard work.”
Koen starts Kindy next year, but he’s already had practice counting cash. Photo: Rebecca Mauger.
Koen knows the importance of diversifying, so he also sold cupcakes and included a chocolate fundraiser to support a local family in their battle against breast cancer.
Ashleigh said Koen was keen for his next endeavour to be more philanthropic.
“We’re proud he’s learnt a really good lesson about working hard for your money,” she said.
“We’ve talked about how nice it is to do things to help people, like the fundraiser chocolates.
“So next time he wants to choose something important to him to donate to, to give him that sense of giving as well as earning money.”
We took five minutes to talk to the pint-sized go-getter about his take on the Illawarra food scene.
Proud business owner Koen Andrews (right) and two very satisfied customers. Photo: Rebecca Mauger.
Tell us a bit about your business?
We have lemonade, cupcakes and chocolates. But the chocolates sold out because some people bought 20. We made some cupcakes and our neighbours made some too.
Why did you start your business?
I really wanted to do one – I’m saving up for a car, a caravan and a house. I’m going to live in the house and get a big black caravan for holidays, like my nanny’s. I’d go to the desert.
How did you learn to make lemonade?
Me and Mum made up an old school recipe. You need sugar, water and lemons. You put the lemons in a juicer.
What’s your secret ingredient?
The most important ingredient is lemons.
What’s your favourite food?
My favourite food is cake – like cupcakes. And chocolate.
Where’s your favourite place to eat in the Illawarra?
Macca’s.
What’s their best dish?
Nuggets. Ice cream is a close second.
What would you like to say to your customers?
Thank you! I think I made $11.
What might we see from you next?
I will have another lemonade stand. But I might make something different like a cake – or a whole bakery.
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