Young Entrepreneur Takes the Business World by Storm at Just 10
A remarkable 10-year-old has bypassed typical playground activities to dive into the corporate world.
Julian Lin, a resident of the Upper West Side, has been cultivating his business acumen since age four, when he began assisting at a local fruit stand on West 68th Street and Columbus Avenue.
“I love the thrill of making a sale,” Lin stated, sporting a bowtie during an interview from his family’s apartment.
Julian’s entrepreneurial inspiration comes from his grandfather, an art dealer based in the Netherlands, who shared countless tales from his career. “He was the one who taught me the art of negotiation,” Julian noted.
He sharpened his sales skills at various local establishments, including Épices Bakery and 67 Gourmet, where he particularly enjoyed promoting his favorite, Meredith Dairy cheese from Australia.
Lin launched his first business during the pandemic in 2020. “Everyone enjoys food, and GrubHub adds extra delivery fees. So, I thought, why not make homemade dishes and charge regular prices?” he explained.
This idea led to the creation of J’s DINR, a delivery-only service from his home that offered items like “Grandma’s Granola,” carrot soup, and chocolate zucchini cake, which he sold to neighbors and even his grandmother two blocks away.
That same year, he also inaugurated a lemonade venture. Initially, he used free lemons from his fruit stand volunteering, pricing each cup at $1, but struggled to turn a profit due to additional costs like sugar and cups.
“I remember wanting to do the lemonade stand primarily for profit,” he chuckled, looking back.
In 2022, he refined his approach after conducting “market research,” which revealed that his classmates at PS 199 couldn’t distinguish between his freshly squeezed juice and the cheaper Trader Joe’s lemonade.
To differentiate his product, he added popping boba—small, liquid-filled balls purchased online—and thus, Bobanade was born. Currently, he generates around $250 weekly at the stand, selling Bobanade at $2.50 per cup.
Demonstrating a philanthropic spirit, Julian donates 30% of his earnings to the Best Friends Animal Society, stating, “Animals deserve better.”
His philanthropic efforts earned him an invitation to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on February 8, 2024. This honor was extended by the Best Friends Animal Society.
After his charitable contributions, he plans to use his remaining earnings as “seed money for future business endeavors.” So far, he has accrued over $10,000.
Beyond street sales, Lin offers $23 tote bags and $28 bucket hats emblazoned with his custom designs on his website.
Most recently, he organized a “Kids Business Fair,” where he and 14 other young entrepreneurs sold various handmade products, donating 30% of their earnings to charities of their choice.
Describing parenting Julian as a “great adventure,” his mother Julie Meerschwam, who works in video production, laughs about the unconventional pursuits of her son. “When your 8-year-old enrolls himself in an SEO conference, you have to adapt,” she said, adding that it’s been a rewarding experience.
For fellow young entrepreneurs, Julian advises, “Master the art of negotiation and learn how to fend off haggling,” he said with a playful smile.
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