Meet Ice Venkatesh

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ice Venkatesh. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ice, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

I developed my confidence and self-esteem through my work with Lemonade with Ice. When I first started the organization, I was nervous about speaking in front of people and reaching out for support — I was just a kid with a big dream. Over the years, I’ve learned to step outside my comfort zone: writing to potential sponsors, speaking at events, and leading teams of volunteers. Each time I did something that scared me, my confidence grew a little more.

Seeing the impact we’ve made — over 1,000 girls empowered through education and leadership — has helped me believe in myself even more. Knowing that I’m making a difference has built my self-esteem because I can see that what I’m doing matters. Lemonade with Ice taught me that confidence doesn’t come from being perfect, but from showing up, trying, and learning from every experience.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m the founder of Lemonade with Ice, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that I started when I was just six years old with a single lemonade stand and a big dream: to help 200 girls access education. Nine years later, we’ve empowered over 1,000 girls through education, leadership, and STEM programming — not just locally in Houston, but internationally.

What excites me most is watching girls discover their own potential. We’re not just handing out resources — we’re sparking confidence, leadership, and a belief that they can break barriers. I think what makes LWI special is that we are youth-led. We prove that age is not a limitation to creating change.

Right now, I’m focused on growing our international partnerships — we currently work with 6 overseas partners, and my goal is to expand that to 15 within the next few years. We’re also gearing up for our 9th Annual Lemonade with Ice Gala this October, which is our biggest event of the year and helps fund programs like computer literacy workshops for girls in rural India.

Ultimately, I want readers to know that you don’t need to wait until you’re an adult to make a difference. If you see a need, take the first step. It might start small — like a lemonade stand — but it can grow into something that changes lives.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, three qualities stand out as the most impactful in my journey: courage, consistency, and collaboration.

First, courage — when I started Lemonade with Ice at six years old, I had no idea how to run a nonprofit or speak to large audiences. But I learned that courage isn’t about not being afraid; it’s about taking action anyway. My advice to others: say yes to opportunities that scare you a little — they’re the ones that help you grow the most.

Second, consistency — it’s easy to be excited at the start of something, but real impact takes time. Staying committed, even when things get tough or progress feels slow, is what turns a small idea into a movement. For anyone starting out, build habits and systems that keep you going on the days motivation is low.

Third, collaboration — none of this would have been possible without the incredible volunteers, mentors, and supporters who believed in the mission. Learning to ask for help and work with others has been essential. My advice is to surround yourself with people who inspire you and share your vision — and don’t be afraid to lean on them.

If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?

If I knew I only had a decade left, I would spend every year pouring into others — creating as much impact and inspiration as I possibly could. I’d focus on expanding Lemonade with Ice globally, reaching thousands more girls and showing them that they can lead change in their own communities. I would spend time mentoring other young leaders, sharing everything I’ve learned so they can continue the mission long after I’m gone.

And just as importantly, I’d make time for the little moments with family and friends — the laughs, the late-night talks, and the memories that make life beautiful. For me, it wouldn’t just be about achieving milestones, but about making every day meaningful and leaving behind a legacy of hope and empowerment.

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Ice Venkatesh

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