Wallace Griffin Named 2025 Southwest Washington Lemonade Day Youth Entrepreneur Of The Year By The Greater Vancouver Chamber (Photo) -07/16/25
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 16, 2025
WALLACE GRIFFIN NAMED 2025 SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON LEMONADE DAY YOUTH ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR BY THE GREATER VANCOUVER CHAMBER
Lemon Lab founder recognized for creativity, business acumen, and giving spirit during GVC’s Lemonade Day program
VANCOUVER, Wash. — The Greater Vancouver Chamber (GVC) is proud to announce Wallace Griffin, an 11-year-old entrepreneur and founder of Lemon Lab, as the 2025 Southwest Washington Lemonade Day Youth Entrepreneur of the Year. Presented annually, the award honors one outstanding young CEO who demonstrates creativity, business savvy, and a strong commitment to the community.
Wallace, participating in his first Lemonade Day and Junior Market, captivated customers with an interactive business model that allowed consumers to become "Flavor Scientists" — mixing their own custom lemonade blends using a variety of flavor add-ins.
“I knew I wanted to do a lemonade stand, but I wanted to take it further by making it an experience,” said Griffin. “I’ve always loved flavored lemonade, and I wanted my customers to create their own.”
Through the Lemonade Day Greater Vancouver program, led by the GVC and presented by Main Squeeze sponsor OnPoint Community Credit Union, Wallace learned key business principles such as budgeting, customer service, repaying investors, and social responsibility. At the Junior Market on June 7, he earned $283 in profit, repaid his investor, and donated 70% of his earnings to the Humane Society for Southwest Washington.
“The most exciting part of the Junior Market was getting to run my own business,” Wallace shared. “My dream is to one day launch a vegan fish and chips food truck.”
“Wallace embodies the spirit of Lemonade Day — entrepreneurial, imaginative, and community-minded,” said John McDonagh, president & CEO of the Greater Vancouver Chamber. “He turned a lemonade stand into an immersive experience and gave back generously. That is what leadership looks like.”
As part of the award, Wallace received a $100 cash prize and an Amazon Fire Tablet from the GVC. OnPoint matched his cash prize with an additional $100 to support his entrepreneurial journey.
“We’re proud to support a program that empowers kids with financial knowledge and encourages them to follow their dreams of entrepreneurship,” said Tim Clevenger, senior vice president & chief marketing officer at OnPoint Community Credit Union. “Wallace’s creativity and generosity are exactly why we continue to invest in Lemonade Day.”
Young Entrepreneurs Shine at the 2025 Junior Market
The 2025 Junior Market, held in partnership with the Vancouver Farmers Market at Esther Short Park, welcomed over 300 young entrepreneurs and drew a crowd of more than 14,000 visitors. This year’s event generated an impressive $50,000 in total sales, giving kids hands-on experience as business owners while showcasing the lessons learned through Lemonade Day.
Participants also had the opportunity to compete in Business Pitch and Marketing contests, sponsored by Palm Beach Tan and Unitus Community Credit Union, further sharpening their skills in business planning and branding.
The success of the Greater Vancouver Vancouver’s Junior Market would not have been possible without Main Squeeze and Presenting Sponsor OnPoint Community Credit Union and the additional support of proud partners: Blue Mountain Community Management, Unitus Community Credit Union, Palm Beach Tan, Rivermark Community Credit Union, The Columbian, Children's Village, Clear Choice Dental Implant Center, COLAS Construction, First Tech Federal Credit Union, Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries, PeaceHealth, Port of Vancouver USA, Red Dog Fabrication, Securus Systems, Share the Flame LLC, Urban Air Vancouver, US Bank, Vancouver Farmers Market, When The Shoe Fits, Wolff Wealth Advisors, Chick-fil-A, Columbia Credit Union, Grassa, Perkins & Co, Bagcraft, Waste Connections, Inc., ANC Movers, Lifetime Exteriors, Battle Ground Cinema, POP-LOCAL, Ridgefield Raptors, BIG AL’s, Nothing Bundt Cakes, NW Escape Experience, and McDonald's.
For further information about how to get involved in My Lemonade Program or the Junior Market, please visit https://www.vancouverusa.com/lemonadeday.
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About Lemonade Day Greater Vancouver
Since its inception in 2021, Lemonade Day Greater Vancouver has been rooted in entrepreneurial spirit. Engaging over 3,500 young minds across Southwest Washington, kids ages 6-16 have been learning the essential ABCs of business skills, fueling their creativity, and fostering their understanding of entrepreneurship. We take pride in the fact that 35% of our participants hail from diverse backgrounds, reflecting our commitment to inclusivity and community empowerment. Our initiative has made a SPLASH, generating a whopping $90,000 in sales, directly benefiting charities, and lining the pockets of these budding CEOs! We are more than just a program - we are making a difference one junior-business at a time. For additional details, please visit https://www.vancouverusa.com/annual-events/lemonadeday.
About the Greater Vancouver Chamber
SW Washington’s largest business organization, the Greater Vancouver Chamber (GVC), with nearly 1000 members, has been Moving Business Forward in southwest Washington for over 135 years through business advocacy, community building, education, and creating visibility for our members. The Chamber is a supportive alliance of diverse member businesses, individuals, and organizations, working together toward long-term business prosperity. The GVC is the heart of Clark County’s business community, advocating for sound, sensible and dynamic policies that ensure a vital economic climate and prosperity for all. For more information, please visit VancouverUSA.com.
About OnPoint Community Credit Union
OnPoint Community Credit Union is the largest credit union in Oregon, serving over 613,000 members and with assets of $9.7 billion. Founded in 1932, OnPoint Community Credit Union’s membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of 28 Oregon counties (Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Gilliam, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Morrow, Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Tillamook, Wasco, Washington, Wheeler and Yamhill) and two Washington counties (Skamania and Clark) and their immediate family members. OnPoint Community Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). More information is available at www.onpointcu.com or 503-228-7077 or 800-527-3932.
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