Hy-Vee partners with young lemonade entrepreneur

MANHATTAN, Kan. (WIBW) – A 9-year-old from Manhattan makes his way to the job of his dreams.

Tre Glasper is a young entrepreneur from a family with a solid business background.

“I’ve been in business my whole life and I wasn’t afraid because they own their own business,” he said.

This summer, Tre was helping his great-uncle, owner of Smokin ‘H’s, with his stand at Manhattan Farmer’s Market and the inspiration struck.

Tre said, “I saw that there were no drink vendors at the farmer’s market and asked my mom if I could make a lemonade stand.”

Her parents, Jermain and Sheila Glasper, were very supportive of Tre.

“He went on his mother’s laptop and designed his logo which is Very Squeeze and we were like wow, you’re enough into that, ”Jermain said. “So we started looking at the shelves and looking at other products, testing them at home first all summer long, and then once he got his ingredients together we were ready to go. trying to sell. “

For the past three months, Tre has settled into the Farmer’s Market, freshly squeezing his lemonade for customers.

“We don’t put artificial flavoring in our lemonade, we just put real fruit in our lemonade,” Tre continued, saying, “So like our regular contains lemons, our strawberry contains strawberries, then our watermelon contains. watermelon in it and we use raw cane sugar.

The need he aimed to satisfy paid off and his product quickly became a success.

“At the start of the summer I never thought I would own a business and this business means a lot to me,” added Tre, “The community is very caring, kind and I appreciate all the support. . “

“We’re really grateful for the support,” Jermain continued, “It teaches him that when you express your dreams, you can do anything and it inspires people as a whole.”

Very Squeeze has also gained traction on social media and caught the attention of management at Manhattan’s Hy-Vee grocery store.

Store catering manager Margot Hutchison said: “We saw a post on Facebook about him hoping to hopefully enter stores in the future and we kind of rushed there. over it and sent for him. “

After just one taste test, Hy-Vee struck a deal, putting Tre’s business in a whole new playing field.

“Currently he is pressing fresh produce at the Farmer’s Market, so now we’re trying to help him have a long shelf life and work with our resources and their resources for labeling,” Hutchison said.

“We are so thankful and grateful to show him what it looks like when it comes to distributing a product,” added Tre’s father. “Being in the stores is a learning process for all of us and we are ready to grow and learn from the staff at Hy-Vee.”

While the Glaspers and their new business partner recognize Tre’s success and look to the future, they also want him to benefit from just being a child.

“I mean who wouldn’t want to partner with a 9-year-old?” You know we’re trying to help him become a businessman, but also to keep him at age 9, ”Hutchison said.

As Tre lives by his company motto, “Squeeze Into Your Dreams”, he recognizes that his success would not be possible without the support of the community.

He said: “I wouldn’t be able to be at Hy-Vee if the community didn’t support me, so that means a lot to me.”

“To be nine years old and to stand out with your dreams inspiring adults and children is just amazing,” Jermain continued, saying. “I am a very proud father and I learn from him every day too.”

Hy-Vee will be hosting pop-up events at the Manhattan store over the next few months until they get Very Squeeze labeled and ready to be put on store shelves.

The first event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday August 7 inside the storefront. Manhattan’s Hy-Vee is located at 601 N. 3rd Pl.

You can also follow Very Squeeze on Facebook.

Tre said his next goal was to appear on the TV show. Shark aquarium and make a deal with Mark Cuban.

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