Junior Market Draws Hundreds To Downtown Vancouver To Celebrate Youth Innovation And Entrepreneurship (Photo) -06/07/25

Press Release   
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   
June 7, 2025

 

 

JUNIOR MARKET DRAWS HUNDREDS TO DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER TO CELEBRATE YOUTH INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

More than 300 young business owners showcased their products and skills at the Greater Vancouver Chamber’s annual event, earning real profits and real-world experience.

 

VANCOUVER, Wash. – The entrepreneurial spirit was on full display as more than 300 youth entrepreneurs, ages 6 to 16, took over Esther Short Park on Saturday, June 7, for the 2025 Junior Market, hosted by the Greater Vancouver Chamber (GVC) and presented by OnPoint Community Credit Union, the event’s Main Squeeze Sponsor. Now in its fourth year, the Junior Market is the signature event of Lemonade Day Greater Vancouver, an initiative focused on empowering the next generation of business leaders.

 

Throughout the day, young CEOs sold an impressive variety of handmade and homegrown products - from original artwork and jewelry to home décor, natural skincare, and organic produce. The event drew thousands of community members to downtown Vancouver to shop, support, and celebrate youth-led business.

 

Turning Ideas into Income

 

Each participant was part of the Chamber’s My Lemonade Day program, where they learned critical business skills like budgeting, customer service, marketing, and giving back to the community. Participants also competed in two judged contests: Business Pitch, sponsored by Palm Beach Tan, and Marketing, sponsored by Unitus Community Credit Union.

 

At the end of the day, participants submitted their business results for the opportunity to be named Southwest Washington’s Youth Entrepreneur of the Year.

 

“The Junior Market isn’t just about selling products - it’s about building confidence, leadership, and vision in our youth,” said Janet Kenefsky, chief operating officer of the Greater Vancouver Chamber and city director for Lemonade Day Greater Vancouver. “These kids walk away with real profits, hands-on business experience, and future-ready skills in leadership - along with a deeper understanding of their ability to shape their future.”

 

In 2024, the Junior Market generated over $40,000 in total profits, with many participants choosing to reinvest in their businesses or donate a portion of their earnings to local causes.

 

Investing in Tomorrow’s Business Leaders

 

The Junior Market is the culminating experience of Lemonade Day, a free program made possible through generous support from partners like OnPoint Community Credit Union. The program offers a powerful platform for young people to explore entrepreneurship while developing lifelong skills in leadership, financial literacy, goal setting, and teamwork.

 

“Exploring the world of entrepreneurship early builds skills and confidence that can help young people achieve financial sustainability later in life,” said Tim Clevenger, SVP/Chief Marketing Officer at OnPoint Community Credit Union. “We are proud to continue our support of Lemonade Day Greater Vancouver and are amazed every year by the creativity, ingenuity and dedication of every vendor.”

 

For more information about the Junior Market or how to enroll a child in the My Lemonade Day program, visit: VancouverUSA.com/LemonadeDay.

 

###

 

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.

 

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.

 

 

Media Assets
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/13x6SPe8vKvjnbPcZEYhWb4SKEwgQU-RP

 

Official Program Link
https://www.vancouverusa.com/annual-events/lemonadeday/

Leading State Business Associations Announce Bold, People-Driven Vision For Washington’s Economy (Photo) -06/03/25

Press Release   
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   
June 3, 2025

 

 

LEADING STATE BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS ANNOUNCE BOLD, PEOPLE-DRIVEN VISION FOR WASHINGTON'S ECONOMY

Washington in the Making 2040, developed by the Association of Washington Business and Washington Roundtable, is a long-term strategy for shared economic prosperity 

 

 

VANCOUVER, Wash., June 3, 2025 – The Association of Washington Business and Washington Roundtable today unveiled a vision for Washington state’s economic future.  

 

Washington in the Making 2040 is a comprehensive 15-year vision rooted in values and aspirations for our collective economic future. That vision includes a world-class workforce, a business environment that fosters growth, infrastructure and connectivity that supports all Washingtonians, and exceptional quality of life in every community.  The full plan is available at WA2040.org. 

 

Creators of Washington in the Making 2040 wanted to build a plan based on Washingtonian’s hopes for the future. Its goals are informed by the experiences and priorities of business and civic leaders and by Washington residents across the state. 

 

Washington in the Making 2040 led an extensive community engagement process, hosting 22 town hall meetings in partnership with local chambers of commerce and community organizations as well as a large-scale survey of Washington residents. More than 4,200 individuals provided input for the plan. 

 

“Washingtonians contributed their vision for what a strong, thriving future should look like by 2040,” says Kris Johnson, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Washington Business. “What emerged is a remarkable level of alignment on the issues that matter most. That shared vision gives us a solid foundation to build a stronger Washington together.” 

 

The Greater Vancouver Chamber partnered with AWB and Washington Roundtable to host one of the town hall meetings. Survey findings reveal that Clark County residents largely support investments in education and training, with 84 percent supporting expanded education and training programs and 81 percent calling for more affordable housing to support workers. Local business leaders echoed these priorities, emphasizing the urgent need to find, train and retain talent to meet the state’s most pressing workforce needs. 

 

“We’ve heard directly from our community that making Southwest Washington a more attractive and affordable place to live and work must be a top priority. The Washington in the Making 2040 vision reflects many of the same priorities we see locally,” says John McDonagh, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Vancouver Chamber. “We’re proud to be part of this collaborative statewide effort, because when we work together, we don’t just strengthen our regional economy, we create a stronger future for all of Washington.” 

 

As the stewards of this vision, AWB and Washington Roundtable will continue to drive conversations about the state’s most pressing issues by hosting two Solution Summits each year, sharing resources and advocating for policies that align with the plan’s goals. Washington in the Making 2040 will track progress through the Vitals, 36 economic indicators that are updated continually with data at the state and county level. 

 

“Businesses, community leaders, and organizations across the state are clearly ready to work together to strengthen Washington’s economy and quality of life,” says Steve Mullin, President of Washington Roundtable. “Washington in the Making 2040 reflects a long-term, strategic commitment, with a framework for measuring our progress toward a more prosperous, equitable future.” 

 

###

 

About the Association of Washington Business 

Formed in 1904, the Association of Washington Business is Washington’s oldest and largest statewide business association representing all sectors of business. AWB serves as both the state’s chamber of commerce and the manufacturers association. While its membership includes major employers like Boeing and Microsoft, 90% of AWB members employ fewer than 100 people. More than half of AWB’s members employ fewer than 10. For more about AWB, visit www.awb.org. 

About the Washington Roundtable 

Washington Roundtable is a nonprofit organization comprised of senior executives of major private sector employers in Washington state. Roundtable members work together to effect positive change on public policy issues that they believe are most important to supporting state economic vitality and fostering opportunity for all Washingtonians. For more information, visit waroundtable.com. 

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.  

 

 

Washington in the Making 2040 | Clark County One Pager
https://www.vancouverusa.com/assets/pdf/WA_2040+One-Pager_ClarkCounty/

 

Clark County Vitals
https://www.vancouverusa.com/washington-in-the-making-2040/

 

Washington State Vitals
https://www.awbinstitute.org/vitals/ 

MEDIA ADVISORY: 2025 Junior Market (Photo) -05/29/25

EVENT PRESS RELEASE  
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
May 29, 2025

 

 

 

MEDIA ADVISORY: 2025 Junior Market

 

 

 

WHAT: 2025 Junior Market | A youth-powered business showcase 

WHEN: Saturday, June 7, 2025  

TIME: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Media check-in begins at 8:40 AM; Ribbon Cutting at 8:50 AM) 

WHERE: Vancouver Farmers Market | Esther Short Park  (605 Esther St., Vancouver, WA 98660)   

 

OVERVIEW: 
Lemonade Day Greater Vancouver, in partnership with the Greater Vancouver Chamber and presenting sponsor OnPoint Community Credit Union, invites the media to experience the innovation and energy of the 2025 Junior Market, an entrepreneurial event featuring over 250 youth, ages 6–16, running their own businesses for the day. 

This one-day market highlights the impact of the Chamber’s My Lemonade Day program, where students learn real-world business skills including budgeting, customer service, and philanthropy. Many young vendors will walk away with $300–$500 in profits, some reaching $1,000 or more. 

Last year’s market generated $40,000 in total youth profits. We anticipate a strong community turnout of approximately 15,000 supporters this year. 

WHY COVER THIS EVENT:
This event offers rich, visual storytelling opportunities and uplifting interviews with young CEOs, families, mentors, and local leaders. It's a vibrant, community-powered celebration of youth innovation, financial literacy, and early entrepreneurship, perfect for broadcast segments, print features, and digital content. 

Join us at 8:50 AM for the official ribbon cutting and be among the first to meet the next generation of business leaders. 

RSVP: To plan appropriately, please let us know if you will be able to attend as a media representative by emailing lsalmonte@vancouverusa.com.     

PROGRAM LINK: Junior Market  

MEDIA ASSETS: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13x6SPe8vKvjnbPcZEYhWb4SKEwgQU-RP?usp=sharing

 

###

 

 

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.