We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ice Venkatesh a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ice, thanks for joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

I am a freshman at The Village High School, Houston and the founder of Lemonade with Ice, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young girls through education. My journey began with a simple yet powerful realization: many girls around the world do not have the opportunity to attend school, primarily due to financial constraints.

Growing up, my family loved to travel, and I was fortunate to experience different cultures, traditions, and ways of life. These travels taught me to appreciate diversity, but they also opened my eyes to the harsh realities that many children, especially girls, face. In several places I visited, I noticed that while education was taken for granted in some communities, in others, it was an unattainable privilege. This realization was shocking to me as a young girl who loved learning. I couldn’t understand why something as fundamental as education wasn’t available to all children, simply because of financial hardship.

I shared my thoughts with my parents, who encouraged me to take action. Even as a child, I felt a strong sense of responsibility to be part of the solution rather than just an observer. So, at the age of six, I came up with an idea—a lemonade stand in front of my house to raise funds. It was a simple concept, but I was determined to make it count.

That summer, I set up my first stand, selling homemade lemonade with the goal of raising money to help girls in need. By the end of the day, I had raised a little over $300, which I proudly donated to the Malala Fund, an organization dedicated to girls’ education. It was a defining moment for me—I realized the power of small actions leading to big change. The satisfaction of knowing that my effort, no matter how small, could make a difference was deeply fulfilling.

Inspired by this experience, I decided to make my lemonade stand an annual tradition. Summer is a special season for me—not only is it the perfect time to run a lemonade stand, but it is also the season of my birthday. I turned my birthday celebration into a mission-driven fundraiser, combining joy with purpose. Every year, I organized my stand, raising funds and donating them to the Malala Fund. Each summer, my efforts grew, and so did my commitment to the cause.

As I entered high school in the summer of 2024, I faced an important decision—selecting my courses and shaping my academic path. It was at this moment that I realized I wanted to study business. My passion for education and my desire to expand my impact led me to take this step. I wanted to turn my small initiative into something bigger, something that could create lasting change in my community and beyond.

That summer, I officially founded Lemonade with Ice, a nonprofit organization committed to raising awareness and funds to support the education of underserved girls. My goal was no longer just about selling lemonade—it was about building a movement. I wanted to involve more people, raise greater awareness, and create sustainable opportunities for young girls who deserve access to education.

Through Lemonade with Ice, I have had the privilege of working with a dedicated team, expanding our fundraising initiatives, and collaborating with individuals and organizations who share our vision. We provide scholarships, educational resources, and mentorship opportunities to girls who need them the most.

As I continue my journey, I am driven by the belief that every girl deserves the chance to learn, dream, and succeed. My hope is that Lemonade with Ice will inspire others to take action and make a difference in their own way. No matter how young or small our actions may seem, they have the power to create a ripple effect of change.

This is just the beginning, and I am excited to see how Lemonade with Ice continues to grow, touching lives and shaping futures—one girl, one opportunity, and one dream at a time.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

At Lemonade with Ice, we are committed to supporting and empowering young girls, especially in STEM, by providing scholarships, networking opportunities, essential tools, and resources to help them succeed. We firmly believe that “if you educate a girl, you educate a nation.”

How We Make an Impact:
1. Scholarships – Providing financial support to help young girls pursue their education.
2. Networking & Mentorship – Connecting students with industry leaders and professionals.
3. Tools & Resources – Offering guidance and support to help girls excel, particularly in STEM fields.
4. Sponsorship Opportunities – Partnering with organizations and individuals who share our mission.
5. Fundraising Through Products – 100% of profits from our product sales are donated to support our cause.
6. Volunteer Opportunities – Helping students earn service hours while making a meaningful impact.

You can explore our products on the website.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In 2020, as the world came to a standstill due to COVID-19, I faced an unexpected challenge—how would I continue my annual lemonade stand fundraiser when in-person interactions were no longer possible? Social distancing meant I couldn’t set up my stand, and for a while, I worried that my efforts to support girls’ education would come to a halt.

I spent countless days brainstorming and discussing ideas with my parents. I knew I had to adapt, but I wasn’t sure how. Then, an idea struck me—if people couldn’t come to my lemonade stand, I would bring the lemonade to them!

That year, I launched my first-ever Virtual Lemonade Stand. Instead of serving fresh lemonade on my street, I packaged and mailed lemonade mix packets to people who wanted to support my cause. To my surprise, this shift expanded my reach beyond my local community. Donations started coming in from across the country—and even from around the world.

What initially seemed like an obstacle turned into an incredible opportunity to grow my mission. The overwhelming support I received was both inspiring and encouraging. That experience taught me an important lesson—when faced with challenges, creativity and perseverance can turn them into new possibilities.

This Virtual Lemonade Stand was a pivotal moment for Lemonade with Ice, reinforcing the idea that impact knows no boundaries. Whether in-person or virtual, the goal remains the same—to empower young girls through education, no matter where they are.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

After COVID, I made a bold decision—to pivot and expand my Lemonade Stand initiative. Not because I had to, but because I knew it was the next step in growing my mission. I wanted to combine my passion for empowering young girls with my love for figure skating.

In 2021, I took my annual Lemonade Stand to a whole new level by organizing it at the Galleria Ice Skating Rink. Oh, I forgot to mention—I am part of US Figure Skating community and have been practicing Ice skating for last 10 plus years. I practice figure skating at Bellerive Iceskating rink in Houston. With the support of my skating coaches and friends, we turned the event into something bigger than ever before. We hosted a Skating Exhibition at the Galleria Iceskating rink, where talented skaters performed to raise awareness and funds for girls’ education.

This event expanded our reach beyond my neighborhood and into the Houston community. It was inspiring to see how sports, passion, and a shared mission could bring people together for a cause greater than ourselves. That year marked a turning point for Lemonade with Ice—what started as a small lemonade stand had now evolved into a larger movement, blending education, sports, and community impact.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lemonadewithice.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lemonadewithicecharity/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LemonadewithIceCharity
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ishanvivenkatesh/
• Twitter: https://x.com/icewithlemonade
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LemonadewithIce