09.08.2026 11:40
14-year-old Buğra Koç, who spent his summer break working in Sakarya, said he earns 3 thousand liras a day and approximately 90 thousand liras a month by selling lemonade. The high school student, who bought himself a smartphone with his 14-day earnings, is now saving money. Buğra's goal is to open his own lemonade stand after finishing school.
Buğra Koç, a 14-year-old who set up a stall on one of Serdivan's busy streets, and his 13-year-old friend Ali Kemal Temel, chose to spend their summer holiday working rather than staying at home. Buğra, who started selling lemonade during the summer holiday two years ago, opened his stall again this year. Working about 6 hours from 12:00 to 18:00, the young boy sells medium-sized lemonade for 70 liras and large-sized lemonade for 80 liras. Stating that his daily earnings exceed 3,000 liras, Buğra said his monthly income reaches about 90,000 liras.
HE BOUGHT A SMARTPHONE WITH 14 DAYS OF EARNINGS
Buğra, who said he has been selling lemonade for 33 days this summer, first bought himself a smartphone with the money he earned. Saying he bought the phone on his 14th working day, the young boy then started saving his subsequent earnings.
Buğra Koç said, “Two years ago, during the summer holiday, instead of being idle, I said let me sell lemonade. It turned out to be a very good idea. I've been doing it for two years now. My medium-sized cups are 70 liras, and my large ones are 80 liras. My daily earnings exceed 3,000 liras. This summer holiday, I sold lemonade for 33 days. Today is my 33rd day. On my 14th day, I bought myself a smartphone. After that day, I started saving money.”
“I COVER MY WEEKLY EXPENSES IN ONE DAY”
Buğra, who said they buy the necessary ingredients for lemonade weekly, stated that the total cost of lemons and cups amounts to about 3,000 liras.
The young student said, “We buy lemons weekly from the market or grocery store. We also buy the cups. Weekly lemons cost 2,000 liras. Together with the cups, it comes to 3,000 liras. I earn this 3,000 liras in one day.”
Buğra, noting that he has 10 liters of lemonade at his stall, also mentioned that his mother supports him: “There are exactly 10 liters of lemonade here. My mother also prepares backup lemonades. Whenever this runs out, I refill it, but it still sells out. I work a total of 6 hours. I open around 12:00 noon and close at 18:00 in the evening. I earn 3,000 liras daily. It reaches 90,000 liras a month. My income is three times the minimum wage.”
HIS GOAL IS TO OPEN A LEMONADE CAFE
Buğra, who will start 9th grade this year, said he wants to be involved in trade after completing his education. Stating that one of his biggest goals is to open his own lemonade cafe, the young boy said he receives support from his family and those around him.
Koç said, “When I started selling two years ago, my family and friends were proud. People I don't even know also support me. Most of the people who come chat with me. Those who pull over by car, or those coming to the park, pedestrians, motorcycle couriers, minibuses come and buy. They chat with me.”
Buğra, saying that his customers give examples from their own childhoods, said, “They say, 'We always used to sell water and sweets at traffic lights, you've done something very nice, you've ventured into trade, well done.' We are happy when they say these things.”
“I WANT TO CONTINUE IN TRADE AFTER FINISHING SCHOOL”
Also sharing his future plans, Buğra said, “I have now started 9th grade. Hopefully, after finishing school, I want to continue in trade. I have a plan to open a lemonade cafe after finishing school. If it works out, I'll open one.”
Buğra also called on his peers, saying it would be more beneficial for them to be engaged in a job rather than spending time at home with phones and tablets.
HIS FRIEND EARNS A THOUSAND LIRAS DAILY SELLING WATER
13-year-old Ali Kemal Temel, inspired by Buğra, also started selling cold water at the same spot. Ali Kemal, who sells water for 10 liras, said he earns about a thousand liras daily depending on the amount sold.
Ali Kemal, explaining that the two friends work side by side and keep an eye on each other's stalls, said, “My friend was also interested in venturing into trade, and so was I. He started selling lemonade, and I started selling water. We started selling side by side, learning from each other. My family doesn't have any problem with it. On the contrary, they help. When he's away, I look after his stall, and when I'm away, he looks after mine. We help each other; we have no issues.”
HE BOUGHT HIS TABLET, NOW HE HAS HIS SIGHTS ON AN ELECTRIC BICYCLE
Ali Kemal, who bought himself a tablet a week ago with the money he earned, plans to save money to buy an electric bicycle by working for the rest of the summer holiday.
Ali Kemal said, “It varies depending on how much water I sell, but I make a thousand liras daily. I sell each one for 10 liras. A week ago, I bought myself a new tablet. Now, by saving more money, I want to buy an electric bicycle towards the end of the summer holiday.”