An eight-year-old CEO runs a lemonade stand and a nonprofit organization

At just eight years old, Elijah Silva has already achieved extraordinary achievements as an entrepreneur, writer, motivational speaker, and CEO of his family’s nonprofit organization.

His adventure with entrepreneurship began on the age of 4 expressed his desire to run a lemonade stand, According to . Inspired by an article about pandemic relief funds for kids’s stands, Silva began his enterprise, Elijah’s Gumdrop Lemonade, on the age of 5, establishing shop twice a week near his home with the support of his parents. “I sell about two and a half gallons, or about 24 16 ounces. cups… I know that revenue minus expenses equals profit,” Silva stated about his thriving business.

The success of his lemonade stand led him to show to his mother, Delesia, to sell sweets, who nurtured his spirit by helping to create chewing gum machines. “I asked the owners if I could put my gumball machine in their business and offered them a percentage of the profits,” the boy said.

The enterprising third-grader from Hemet has been a member of the Chamber of Commerce since June 2022 and recently added his fifth gumball machine to its office. His parents, Delesia and Luis, each U.S. Navy veterans, played key roles in his journey. Delesia, together with her organizational management experience and DIY skills, helped Elijah start a non-profit organizationElijah Cares.

“My nonprofit serves children from underserved communities for free through arts and crafts,” said the elementary school student. Elijah Cares’ mission is to empower youth through educational opportunities, strengthen connections in local communities and cultivate networks of support. To achieve this vision, it strategically curates events and engaging activities designed to facilitate meaningful collaboration, sharing of resources and the exchange of invaluable insights amongst like-minded individuals and initiatives committed to uplifting their communities.

Elijah’s achievements transcend business. He has authored two books and was recently hired because the Youth Commissioner for Youth Empowerment for Community Enrichment inside Sigma Beta Xi Youth and Family Services, supporting community needs and constructing relationships. On April 27, he shall be the keynote speaker on the Kidpreneur Expo in San Jacinto, an event he helped encourage to showcase young firms.

The Silvas imagine that educating children is about teaching them skills that can help them grow into responsible and successful adults.