This is not your ordinary lemonade stand—and it’s not your average lemonade, either. Cam’s Lemonade may have begun as a way for seven-year-old Cam Johnson to make a little money so he’d stop asking his mom for cash every day, but it’s certainly more than that now. In the three years since that first lemonade sale, it’s grown far beyond what Cam and his mom could’ve imagined, into a full-fledged business with bottles of Cam’s Lemonade sold in over 20 stores across Birmingham and plans to expand to many more soon.
A Sour Beginning
The first year of business, Cam and his mom, Cristal, sold their lemonade at pop-up markets. Cam’s Lemonade was inspired by Cam’s dreams to go to Disney World—the small operation was a way his mom hoped to teach him money principles and the importance of earning money through hard work.
One day, Cristal posted on Facebook saying that Cam’s Lemonade was “hiring” two kids to help at an event—she thought it would be a fun way for Cam and some buddies his age to hang out at the event while also greeting customers (and making a little money!). Only, someone didn’t think it was so fun. Soon, she got a call from the Department of Labor, claiming someone reported her for child labor.
Cristal was shocked. The Department of Labor made her cancel the event, and she was so sad. Cam’s Lemonade looked like it was going downhill. But little did she know that the worst thing that could’ve happened would actually turn out to be the best thing ever for Cam’s Lemonade. Cristal posted about how someone reported her to the Department of Labor on Facebook, and that’s when Cam’s Lemonade went viral. “People were enraged,” she explains. People couldn’t believe someone would do such a thing.
An Unexpected Viral Start
Next thing the Johnsons knew, Fox News, The Washington Post, and other major news sources were covering the story. Soon thereafter, Birmingham stores started reaching out asking about selling Cam’s lemonade in their stores. “It’s expanding and now I’m in stores,” Cam, now 10, shares proudly.
Someone from the NFL even flew them to Disney World, fulfilling Cam’s initial wish. Needless to say, they blew up. “That’s how we became a household name,” Cristal explains. Fast forward to 2024, and Cristal quit her job as a respiratory therapist to make lemonade full-time.
Where to Find Cam’s Lemonade
Right now, Cam’s Lemonade is in 20 stores across Walker and Jefferson counties, including Piggly Wiggly, Shell, and other gas stations. Cristal is currently working with manufacturers to extend the shelf life (from beyond 3 weeks) and get it bottled so that they can add Cam’s Lemonade to other locations around town as well.
If you want Cam’s opinion of which lemonade to try, good luck. His favorite flavor is “all of them.” “When we started, we started with one flavor: pink lemonade,” Cristal recalls. However, that list grew to include over a dozen flavors. They’re currently at 16 flavors that they rotate between, from Red Jolly Rancher and Watermelon to The Hulk and more… so looks like you’ll just have to try them all.
How Lemonade Is Teaching Sweet Life Lessons
You might wonder to yourself, “But how much can a 10 year-old really do?” You’d be surprised. “I let Cam handle the money and get the chance… to help with his math, customer service, and social skills,” Cristal explains. “He goes to work and has a time sheet, and he gets a certain number of hours. He has to earn his money.”
Her heart behind supporting her son has always been to give him the chance to grow. It’s about, as she says, “Teaching him the business side of it.” It’s amazing what your kids can do when you believe in them. Cristal even had shirts made for Cam to wear to school with a QR code his friends can scan to place their lemonade orders, making him his own walking marketing director.
Making a Difference in the Community
Cam’s Lemonade has grown far beyond the desire to make a few bucks for spending money; Cam and his mom are making a real difference in the Birmingham community. Cam’s biggest takeaway from his business has actually been “to help out” and serve others.
“For Christmas, he gave out 100 chickens to the community… and whole Thanksgiving meals,” Cristal tells me. Not to mention he wrote a book—Cam’s Version of Cam’s Lemonade—and gives many copies away to organizations like the Children’s hospital. “I like to find causes, because I love kids,” Cristal states, “and he loves that.” Cam is very active in charity work, big and small. “[I try to find] lots of small things that add up that he can really spearhead,” Cristal says. Whether it’s reading to kids at school, free haircuts for kids, handing out money to those walking into Dollar Tree, or donating lemonade for a class lemonade party, the Johnsons’ goal is for Cam to be a motivation for other kids. Cam’s best advice for other kids who want to start a business is, “If you’re struggling, ask for help from older people.” It takes a team to build a dream.
How to Order
You can order Cam’s Lemonade by emailing cristalandcam@gmail.com or by heading to a local pop-up or Piggly Wiggly (stay up-to-date on their Facebook page). And next time life gives you lemons… be more like Cam and make lemonade!
