At just 13 years old, Harrisburg Middle School eighth grader Claire Collins has already learned a lesson that many adults take years to master: with creativity, discipline, and the right support, you can build your own opportunities. Alongside her mom, Tonya, Claire co-runs Shake It Up, a traveling lemonade shake-up stand that has quickly grown from a backyard idea into a small business with a following at local festivals and farmers' markets.

The story began last May when Claire begged her mom to let her try making lemonade. They set up at the end of their country road, not expecting much more than a handful of neighbors stopping by. To their surprise, Claire made about $200 on that very first day. The success sparked an idea. Instead of limiting themselves to the roadside, why not take their operation to festivals and events where more people could enjoy their drinks? By the time summer was in full swing, Shake It Up was traveling to places like the Carmi festival, the Marion Farmers Market, and even a nine-day trail ride event where horses and campers filled the grounds.

Their setup is simple but effective: two tables that fit in the back of their car, large coolers for ice, and a newly purchased water dispenser. They offer two sizes—16 ounces for $5 and a large 36-ounce for $8. Customers can stick with classic lemonade or choose from a colorful list of flavors, including strawberry, cotton candy, cherry, peach, blueberry, tropical fruit, and even unique options like toasted marshmallow. Sweet tea and Arnold Palmers are also on the menu. 

Each drink is made fresh: a lemon is cut and smashed with a machine, sugar and ice are added, flavoring is mixed in, and the whole concoction is shaken vigorously before the straw is poked through the paper covered lid.

At the end of each event, the profits are divided carefully: 35 percent goes to Claire, 35 percent back into the business, 10 percent to her mom, 10 percent for taxes, and 10 percent as a tithe to their church. Claire’s 35 percent goes straight into her personal savings account for college, a nest egg that already amounts to several thousand dollars.

“I want to be a teacher,” Claire explained. “I’ll start at Southeastern Illinois College and then go on from there. I’m saving now so I’ll be ready when the time comes.” Her wise approach doesn’t stop at saving, though. At bigger shows, she treats herself to a little reward—a hundred-dollar bill tucked into her wallet. Smaller shows bring smaller perks, but she often chooses to take less spending money in order to keep saving more.

Running Shake It Up has also given Claire valuable time with her mom, who works as a court reporter. “She works late sometimes, so this is a way for us to spend time together,” Claire said. “We work well together, and that makes it fun.” Tonya, who once owned Haley Claire’s Cupcakery in Harrisburg, brings her own experience in food service and customer care to the stand. Claire still remembers baking alongside her mom and credits those early days with sparking her interest in entrepreneurship.

Despite her busy schedule, Claire still makes room for sports and activities. She’s bowled for the school team since sixth grade, and this year she plans to add track. Though she once loved basketball, she decided to step away when it stopped being enjoyable. “I just wanted to try new things,” she said, adding that bowling remains one of her favorite ways to spend time with friends.

For all her accomplishments, what stands out most about Claire is her perspective. She understands the value of encouragement and support, and she offers advice well beyond her years. “If you encourage your kid, they can do more,” she said. “If you don’t, they’ll just sit around. You’ve got to help them find things they enjoy and keep a good attitude while they’re doing it.”

For now, she’ll keep shaking up drinks, and stacking her savings, one cup at a time. Each festival and market brings her closer not just to college but to the kind of life she is determined to create—one where hard work, family support, and a positive attitude can turn even a simple lemonade stand into a story of success.