At just 8 years old, Elijah Silva is CEO of a lemonade stand company and a nonprofit organization

Eight-year-old Elijah Silva is an entrepreneur, author, motivational speaker, and CEO of his family’s nonprofit organization. The third grader from Hemet has been a member of the Chamber of Commerce since June 2022.

His entrepreneurship journey started when he was just four years old. At that age, he expressed his desire to operate a lemonade stand, as reported by Valley News.

“Although I initially promised that I would make it happen, I didn’t take action until the pandemic hit,” said his mother, Delesia Silva. “Spurred on by a friend who shared an article about Country Time Lemonade offering COVID relief funds to children unable to operate stands, I was inspired to kick-start Elijah’s Gumdrop Lemonade business.”

Silva successfully founded Elijah’s Gumdrop Lemonade at the age of five, setting up shop near his home for two hours twice a week with the support of his parents.

“I sell about two and a half gallons, which is about 24 16 oz. cups,” Silva says about his company. “I know that income minus expenses equals profit.”

The success of his company inspired him to look for other business ventures. He told his mother he wanted a candy business, and she thought buying gumball machines was an easy way to get started.

The eight-year-old recently installed his fifth gumball machine at the Chamber of Commerce office.

“I enjoy serving the community,” he says. “I asked the owners if I could put my gumball machine in their business and offered them a percentage of the profits.”

His parents, Delesia and Luis, both U.S. Navy veterans, have played an important role in his journey. Delesia, with her background in organizational management and DIY skills, helped Silva found the nonprofit Elijah Cares.

Its mission is to use educational opportunities to empower youth. “My nonprofit serves children in underserved communities with arts and crafts for free,” Silva said.

In addition to his company, he is also an author. He has two books to his name. In addition to his work as a contracted motivational speaker, Sigma Beta Xi Youth and Family Services recruited him as a Youth Commissioner with Youth Empowerment for Community Enrichment.

In February, Black Voices of the Valley honored Silva with the Youth Entrepreneurship Award, explaining that they were impressed with his management skills.

“He has the maturity and ability to understand the requirements of what it takes to become a successful businessperson in life,” said Black Voices of the Valley Director Stephanie Bruce. “He is truly an exceptional young man and a role model for other young people in our community.”