Bismarck besties are helping other kids and following in their mothers’ footsteps, one sale at a time

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) - When it comes to hustle, Ella Koper and Avril Pomarleau take after their mothers.

What started as a fun way for the girls to pass the time grew into a profitable business.

Last year, the girls earned 700 dollars at just nine and 10 years old through Lemonade Day.

But in true North Dakota fashion, there’s a charitable twist.

Like mothers, like daughters, Avril and Ella aren’t on staff here at Assure Home Mortgage, but you’d never know it. “They’re helping people get loans and houses. But, also it could be boring. And sometimes, ya know, we need breaks; they also need breaks,” said Ella Koper.

“She started as a mini mortgage guru. And so, I encouraged her to do online marketing posts talking about mortgage,” said Avril’s mom and owner of Assure Home Mortgage owner Tanya Decker.

“They’ve spent so much time in the office with us. So, they hear us on the phone. They hear us having conversations with realtors or clients. I think they’ve just absorbed everything that we do,” said Ella’s mom and Assure Home Mortgage operational manager Angil Koper. Despite not being on the payroll, the girls haven’t clocked out.

In fact, they got a shot at their own business through 2023 Lemonade Day. “We have to make our stand. We have to make the lemonade. We have to make the treats and all that. And then, we have to sell them,” said Avril Pomarleau. “I think it’s amazing they have the confidence to go outside of the box, do something different, try something new and just set a goal,” said Angil Koper. You might think they do it all for tips, but there’s a catch.

Just like last year, the girls plan to donate their profits to a charity.

This year it’s Haven Hills Foster Care Community. “A lot of the funds that we’re receiving right now are going to the foster kids for simple things like socks and underwear and things that the kids need in school on a day-to-day basis,” said Haven Hills Foster Care Community Founder and CEO Amber Bohl. “I love the feeling of them saying, ‘thank you,’” said Pomarleau.

“When all of the kids are happy and that’s just a good feeling to have,” said Ella Koper. With their experience, passion and love for others, the girls are turning lemons into lemonade for more than just their customers, but also for kids like them who need it too.

“We’re kids helping kids. It’s very nice,” said Ella Koper.

The girls’ business is always evolving. This year’s theme is “Pinkalicious” featuring strawberry lemonade.

They’ll be outside of Cashwise North this Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and on Saturday out at Reule Lake.

If you can’t make it, you can still give to their cause by donating on Venmo by searching the username “Assure Home Mortgage.”