Greater Vancouver Chamber Names Emma Turner 2026 Southwest Washington Lemonade Day Youth Entrepreneur of the Year

GREATER VANCOUVER CHAMBER NAMES EMMA TURNER 2026 SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON LEMONADE DAY YOUTH ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

At just 16 years old, Emma Turner transformed her passion for crochet into a thriving business through Lemonade Day Greater Vancouver.

VANCOUVER, Wash. — The Greater Vancouver Chamber (GVC) is proud to announce Emma Turner, owner of Fallen Leaf Lake Creations, as the 2026 Southwest Washington Lemonade Day Youth Entrepreneur of the Year. The annual award recognizes one exceptional young entrepreneur who exemplifies creativity, innovation, business acumen, and a commitment to making a positive impact in the community.

Turner began her entrepreneurial journey through Lemonade Day Greater Vancouver, a program led by the Greater Vancouver Chamber and presented by Main Squeeze Sponsor OnPoint Community Credit Union. What started as an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of running a business has grown into a thriving handmade crochet business, inspiring other young entrepreneurs throughout Southwest Washington.

"As we celebrate Emma's accomplishments, we're also celebrating the incredible potential of young entrepreneurs across our region," said Janet Kenefsky, chief operating officer of the Chamber and city director for Lemonade Day Greater Vancouver. "Emma's story demonstrates exactly what Lemonade Day is designed to do - give young people the confidence, knowledge, and real-world experience to turn their passions into opportunities. Her creativity, determination, and willingness to continue learning make her an outstanding recipient of this year's Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Award."

Turner first participated in Lemonade Day in 2024, where she learned foundational business principles such as pricing, budgeting, managing expenses, and understanding profit. Those lessons, combined with hands-on experience selling her products, inspired her to continue participating in markets and eventually launch Fallen Leaf Lake Creations, a business specializing in handcrafted crochet plushies and unique creations.

"I still remember spending evenings pricing my creations while watching Lemmy explain profits, investors, and costs," said Turner. "Those lessons helped me understand how to price my products and run a small business. The Junior Market was the first time I sold my handmade creations, and it gave me the confidence to keep coming back each year. I can't imagine where my business would be today without the experience and support Lemonade Day gave me."

Although Turner initially explored a variety of creative hobbies - including beaded jewelry, clay earrings, painting, and sewing - she eventually discovered a passion for crochet after learning the craft from her grandmother. Today, her business offers imaginative handmade plushies ranging from classic animals to creations such as giant sharks, "Booty Bees," and Cow-Burgers, each carefully crafted with creativity and attention to detail.

"Every piece I make is something I genuinely enjoy creating," Turner said. "I never want to make something just because it will sell. I want every creation to be something I'm proud of, and I think that joy shows in every stitch."

Turner credits much of her success to the encouragement and mentorship of her grandmother, who continues to teach her new crochet techniques and inspire her creativity. She has also expanded her impact beyond her business by starting a crochet club at her school, where she teaches classmates and teachers how to crochet, sharing both her skills and passion with others.

When she learned she had been selected as the 2026 Southwest Washington Lemonade Day Youth Entrepreneur of the Year, Turner said she was overwhelmed with gratitude.

"When my mom told me I had been selected, I was completely shocked," Turner said. "Out of more than 200 kids who participated in Lemonade Day, I never imagined I would be chosen. Looking back at my very first Junior Market, I never would have guessed that one day I'd have my own website, be selling at markets throughout the year, and receive this incredible honor. This recognition reminds me that something that started as a hobby has become so much more."

As part of the recognition, Turner received an official Youth Entrepreneur of the Year certificate and a $100 cash award. OnPoint Community Credit Union matched the prize with an additional $100 investment to support the continued growth of her business. 

“Emma showed an impressive knowledge of essential business strategies, and her passion for crocheting shone through in her pitch,” said Tim Clevenger, chief marketing officer, OnPoint Community Credit Union. “Young people like Emma and the other Lemonade Day entrepreneurs are the future business leaders of our community, and OnPoint is proud to encourage their ambition.”

Turner encourages other young people to embrace opportunities like Lemonade Day.

"My advice to any kid thinking about participating in Lemonade Day or starting a business is simple: take the chance," she said. "Even if everything doesn't go perfectly, you'll learn so much while having fun. Don't let being nervous stop you. You never know where one small opportunity might lead."

For more information about the Lemonade Day Greater Vancouver entrepreneurship program and the Junior Market, visit: VancouverUSA.com/Lemonade-Day

The success of the Greater Vancouver Vancouver’s Junior Market would not have been possible without Main Squeeze and Presenting Sponsor OnPoint Community Credit Union and the additional support of proud partners: Burgerville, The Columbian, COLAS Construction, When The Shoe Fits, Urban Air Vancouver, City of Battle Ground, United Precision Corp., First Tech Federal Credit Union, HAPO Community Credit Union, Schlesinger Companies, Freight Trac Services, Vancouver Farmers Market, Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries, Unitus Community Credit Union, Palm Beach Tan, Grassa, AC Hotel Vancouver Waterfront, Educational Opportunities for Children and Families, Rivermark Community Credit Union, Waste Connections, BRANDIWINE Interior Design, Talent Career Coaching, NW Escape Experience, Red Dog Fabrication, Clark County Trash Pandas, Clark College, Farrar’s Bistro, Clark County Child Advocates, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Miller Nash, BIG AL’s, ANC Movers, and Battle Ground Cinema Prestige Theaters.

About Lemonade Day Greater Vancouver

Since its inception in 2020, Lemonade Day Greater Vancouver has been rooted in entrepreneurial spirit. Engaging over 8,000 young minds across Southwest Washington, kids ages 6-16 have been learning the essential ABCs of business skills, fueling their creativity, and fostering their understanding of entrepreneurship. We take pride in the fact that 35% of our participants hail from diverse backgrounds, reflecting our commitment to inclusivity and community empowerment. Our initiative has made a SPLASH, generating a whopping $180,000 in net income, directly benefiting charities, and lining the pockets of these budding CEOs! We are more than just a program - we are making a difference one junior-business at a time. For additional details, please visit https://www.vancouverusa.com/lemonade-day.

About the Greater Vancouver Chamber

SW Washington’s largest business organization, the Greater Vancouver Chamber (GVC), with nearly 1000 members, has been Moving Business Forward in southwest Washington for over 135 years through business advocacy, community building, education, and creating visibility for our members. The Chamber is a supportive alliance of diverse member businesses, individuals, and organizations, working together toward long-term business prosperity. The GVC is the heart of Clark County’s business community, advocating for sound, sensible and dynamic policies that ensure a vital economic climate and prosperity for all. For more information, please visit VancouverUSA.com.

About OnPoint Community Credit Union

OnPoint Community Credit Union is the largest credit union headquartered in Oregon, serving more than 656,000 members throughout Oregon and southwest Washington. Founded in 1932, OnPoint Community Credit Union’s membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of 33 Oregon counties (Baker, Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Gilliam, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Malheur, Marion, Morrow, Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Tillamook, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco, Washington, Wheeler and Yamhill) and who lives, works, worships, or attends school in one of four Washington counties (Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, and Skamania), and their immediate family members. OnPoint Community Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). More information is available at onpointcu.com.

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