When Julian Lin was just 4 years old, he became friends with a man who operated a street fruit stand near his apartment. He finally decided to ask if he could have a job. The fruit stand owner joked, “Where’s your resume, kid?” Julian went home and created a preschooler’s version of a resume with markers, and wound up getting a job handing out bags for people to carry their fruit home. Serving people just made Julian happy. A few years later, when he was 10, Julian — who stops dogs on the street to pet them and ask their names — had an enterprising idea: “How about I start my own business and help animals who need homes?” Shortly after, Julian started his business — Julian Businessman — which donates 30% of the net proceeds he earns to Best Friends Animal Society. In the summer months, Julian sets up a lemonade stand in New York’s Upper West Side and sells lemonade. With his mom, Julie Meerschwam, standing by, Julian runs his lemonade business once a month from two tables with a banner and tablecloths. He adds boba bubbles, lemon slices and other garnishes to cups of cool lemonade. In the winter, Julian peddles hot chocolate instead of lemonade. Year-round, people can buy merchandise — like coffee mugs and shirts — on his website, JulianBusinessman.com. “Julian is such an incredible young man," said Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends. "He’s got a head for business and a heart to help animals and people." Julian says that someone has to help the animals, so why not him? “I’m just trying to be that person who’s going to help.”
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| Julian and his mother |
