How Mikaila Ulmer Turned a Childhood Lemonade Stand into a National Brand
A Story of Sweet Success
Every so often, an entrepreneur emerges whose story feels like it was written for the history books. Not because they were born into wealth, or because they had every advantage at their fingertips, but because they turned something as ordinary as lemonade into something extraordinary. Mikaila Ulmer is one of those entrepreneurs. At just 20 years old, she is the CEO of Me & the Bees Lemonade, a national brand carried in major retailers like Whole Foods, Costco, and Target. She is also an author, a public speaker, and a symbol of how youthful vision, when paired with grit and purpose, can transform the marketplace.
Her story begins, as many American stories do, with a front-yard lemonade stand. But this was no ordinary childhood pastime. For Mikaila, what started at age four-and-a-half has blossomed into an enduring brand that combines family recipes, environmental activism, and the entrepreneurial drive of a new generation.
This essay will trace Mikaila’s journey from that first batch of lemonade to becoming the CEO of a growing company. It will explore how she has navigated business challenges, used her platform to raise awareness about bees, and proven that entrepreneurship can start with something small—if pursued with heart and discipline.
Roots in Lemonade and Family Tradition
Mikaila’s story starts in Austin, Texas, when she was just four years old. Like many kids her age, she was encouraged by her parents to take part in activities that taught creativity, independence, and confidence. One day, after being stung by bees twice in one week, she was naturally fearful. Her parents, seeking to calm her nerves, encouraged her to learn more about bees rather than avoid them.
As Mikaila read children’s books and watched documentaries about bees, she discovered their critical role in pollination and food production. She also learned how bee populations were declining, posing a threat not just to honey, but to the global food supply. This newfound awareness sparked something inside her: a mission to help bees survive.
It was around this same time that her great-grandmother sent the family a cherished 1940s cookbook. Inside was a recipe for flaxseed lemonade. Mikaila decided to combine her passion for helping bees with her great-grandmother’s recipe by sweetening the lemonade with honey instead of refined sugar. The result was a delicious drink with a purpose: every glass supported bees and raised awareness about their importance.
What could have been just another lemonade stand became the foundation of Me & the Bees Lemonade.
The Leap from Stand to Brand
What set Mikaila apart from other children with lemonade stands was not only her product but her ability to see its potential. Her parents encouraged her curiosity and entrepreneurship, guiding her through the basics of setting up a small business. She developed a simple but effective pitch: “Buy a bottle, save a bee.”
Demand for her lemonade quickly grew beyond her front yard. Local businesses in Austin began to stock her product, and her story spread through word of mouth. By the time she was in elementary school, she was running a small but growing enterprise, balancing schoolwork with entrepreneurship.
Her first big break came in 2015 when she appeared on Shark Tank. Standing in front of some of the nation’s toughest investors, Mikaila—then just 11 years old—delivered a confident pitch that impressed the judges and viewers alike. She secured a $60,000 investment from Daymond John, the founder of FUBU, who became not only a financial backer but also a mentor.
That moment propelled her from being a local entrepreneur to a national one. Orders surged, media attention followed, and her brand began its march toward becoming a household name.
Growing a Business as a Child
Running a company is never easy, but running one as a child presents unique challenges. Mikaila had to learn how to juggle her roles as a student, daughter, and CEO. While her parents played an essential role in managing logistics and providing guidance, Mikaila herself remained at the heart of the brand. She participated in product development, packaging design, and marketing campaigns, often drawing from her own experiences and values.
Her journey was not without setbacks. Scaling production meant ensuring consistency, navigating contracts with large retailers, and handling supply chain challenges—issues most adult entrepreneurs struggle with. Yet, Mikaila’s resilience and willingness to learn became her greatest assets.
As she grew older, so did her company. Me & the Bees Lemonade expanded to more than 1,500 distribution points across the United States, with a range of flavors and products that stayed true to her original vision: combining taste with purpose.
The Purpose Beyond Profit: Saving the Bees
From the beginning, Me & the Bees was never just about selling lemonade. It was about raising awareness of the plight of bees. A portion of the company’s profits is donated to organizations working to save honeybees, support sustainable beekeeping, and promote environmental education.
Mikaila founded the Healthy Hive Foundation, which channels resources into bee conservation. She also became an outspoken advocate for sustainability, speaking at events ranging from business conferences to environmental summits. Her message is simple: small actions can lead to big change.
This alignment between product and purpose has set her company apart in a crowded beverage market. At a time when consumers increasingly demand socially responsible products, Mikaila’s brand resonates with both young and older demographics. People don’t just buy her lemonade—they buy into her mission.
Author, Speaker, Role Model
By her teenage years, Mikaila had already been featured in major outlets such as TIME, Forbes, and The Washington Post. She was invited to the White House during the Obama administration, meeting President Barack Obama and sharing her story with young leaders.
In 2020, she published her first book, Bee Fearless: Dream Like a Kid, a memoir and guide that combines her entrepreneurial journey with practical advice for other aspiring entrepreneurs. The book has been celebrated for its authenticity and inspiration, particularly for young readers who often see entrepreneurship as something reserved for adults.
Her public speaking career has taken her across the country and abroad. Whether addressing entrepreneurs, environmentalists, or students, Mikaila embodies a rare blend of youthful energy and seasoned wisdom. She encourages audiences to “dream like a kid,” reminding them that children often have the boldness to pursue ideas without being weighed down by the doubts adults accumulate.
Lessons in Entrepreneurship
Mikaila’s journey provides a masterclass in entrepreneurship, particularly for those who wonder whether age is a barrier to starting a business. Her story demonstrates several key lessons:
Purpose Fuels Longevity – Businesses that align profit with a larger mission often sustain momentum. For Mikaila, bee conservation wasn’t an afterthought; it was her driving force. Family Support is Critical – Behind every child entrepreneur is a support system. Her parents played a crucial role in teaching, mentoring, and managing the operational aspects of the business while allowing her to remain the face and heart of it. Resilience is Non-Negotiable – From supply chain challenges to balancing homework with board meetings, Mikaila learned that obstacles are part of the process, not signs of failure. Visibility Matters – Appearances on platforms like Shark Tank or speaking engagements amplified her message far beyond what a lemonade stand could ever achieve. Stay True to Your Story – Her authenticity—combining a childhood fear of bees, a family recipe, and a mission-driven business—resonated with customers in a way no manufactured brand could.
The Challenges of Scaling Up
While Mikaila’s story is inspiring, it is also a case study in the challenges of scaling a mission-driven brand. Growth requires capital, distribution networks, and the ability to compete against beverage giants with enormous resources. For Me & the Bees, maintaining quality and purpose while expanding has been a constant balancing act.
Mikaila has spoken openly about the difficulties of running a business while also pursuing her education. She has had to make tough decisions about delegating responsibilities, trusting mentors, and staying focused on her long-term vision. In doing so, she has proven that leadership is not about age, but about clarity, courage, and persistence.
A Symbol of a New Generation
At 20 years old, Mikaila represents more than just entrepreneurial success. She embodies a generational shift in how young people see business. For Generation Z, entrepreneurship is not just about profit margins; it is about impact. They want to know that the companies they support are making the world better, not just wealthier.
Her story resonates because it challenges traditional timelines. She didn’t wait until she finished college, built a résumé, or worked her way up the corporate ladder. Instead, she began where she was, with what she had. In doing so, she has shown other young people that they don’t need to wait for permission to pursue their dreams.
The Road Ahead
As Me & the Bees Lemonade continues to expand, Mikaila faces the future with ambition. She plans to scale her company into new markets, continue developing her foundation’s work, and use her platform to inspire the next wave of entrepreneurs.
Her long-term vision extends beyond beverages. She has hinted at expanding her brand into other consumer goods and building an ecosystem of products that align with her mission. At the same time, she remains committed to education, mentorship, and advocacy, ensuring that her journey benefits not just her company, but her community.
Lemonade, Leadership, and Legacy
Mikaila Ulmer’s story is more than a feel-good tale about a child entrepreneur. It is a testament to the power of vision, resilience, and purpose. From a four-year-old girl stung by bees to a 20-year-old CEO making waves in the national market, she has defied expectations and redefined what it means to be an entrepreneur.
Her lemonade is sweet, but her message is even sweeter: no dream is too small to matter, no idea too simple to change the world. As she continues to lead her company and advocate for causes close to her heart, Mikaila reminds us all that sometimes the best way to change the world is to start with something as simple—and profound—as a glass of lemonade.
