Young Entrepreneur Shows Business Acumen Beyond Recess

Julian Lin, a 10-year-old from the Upper West Side, has been honing his sales skills since age four, starting with volunteering at a local fruit stand on West 68th Street. He enjoys the thrill of selling and has developed a keen interest in business at a surprisingly young age.

Inspired by stories from his Dutch grandfather, an art dealer, Julian learned how to haggle and sell, practicing at neighborhood spots like Épices Bakery and a cheese shop, where he sold his favorite Australian cheese. His first solo business was J’s Lemonade Stand, launched during the pandemic in 2020. Using lemons earned through volunteering, he sold cups for $1, though profit was minimal after expenses.

To differentiate his product, Julian added popping boba to his lemonade, creating “Bobanade” — now sold for $2.50 per cup and generating about $250 weekly. He donates 30% of his earnings to the Best Friends Animal Society, advocating for animal welfare.

His interest in business extends beyond street sales. Julian sells branded tote bags and hats on his website, with each item priced between $23 and $28. His latest entrepreneurial venture was organizing a “Kids Business Fair,” where he and 14 peers sold homemade products, donating a portion of profits to charities of their choice.

Parent Julie Meerschwam describes parenting Julian as an “adventure,” noting his eagerness to participate in activities like an SEO conference at age eight. His advice for young entrepreneurs? “Learn how to haggle and how to block a haggle,” he says with a grin.