The Cutie Mark Crusaders wasted no time in getting started with their first venture into the world of capitalism: a lemonade stand. The stand itself was a simple construction; essentially an overturned crate for a table with a sign held aloft by two boards nailed on either side of the box. The materials, assembled by Applebloom, had been appropriated from the supply shed at Sweet Apple Acres. It was decorated with paints in a variety of colors and with simple curtains hanging along the sides—Sweetie Belle's contributions, "borrowed" from Rarity's shop.
The sign read "Lemonade" in large bold letters, and even had the stereotypical backwards "e" in its spelling; a point that had been the subject of debate among the Crusaders. Applebloom thought that spelling it with backwards "e"s would appear quaint and attract more business, while Scootaloo argued that they should attempt to look professional. Sweetie Belle couldn't make up her mind on the matter, but eventually came up with the winning solution: they split the difference and wrote only the last "e" backwards.
After they had finished constructing the stand, the young fillies set up shop in the middle of Ponyville where there was always plenty of foot traffic. The sun was shining bright and the sky was clear. It was a warm day, and after Scootaloo arrived, hauling a large wooden bucket full of fresh lemons (also appropriated by Applebloom from her family's farm) in the red wagon that she towed behind her scooter, the Crusaders were able to start mixing the lemonade.
No sooner had they set their first pitcher on the stand than they had their first sale to a passing mare who smiled as she paid her two bits. Sales were slow, but steady for the first hour, and by Applebloom's estimate, they would earn enough to cover the registration fee for Scootaloo to enter the Junior Stuntpony Competition by sundown.
That's when Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon showed up. Diamond's father, Filthy Rich, was with them, and he was helping—or, rather, he was overseeing the construction of their own lemonade stand. A small team of construction ponies under his employ quickly assembled a long counter made of solid oak which had been sanded, stained, sealed, and polished to a mirror shine. A large, sparkling sign went up over the counter, promoting the new rival stand, and its lower price of only a single bit. "Lemonade" was spelled with both "e"s facing the correct way, and all the letters were expertly carved into the wood.
Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon didn't even appear interested in running their own stand, as they brought reclining lawn chairs with them and sat far behind it where they wouldn't have to dirty their hooves. They had convinced Snips and Snails to operate the stand for them without any promise of compensation (something about "It will look good on your resume later.")
Within minutes of the rival stand's completion, every pony in the town was buying their lemonade from Diamond and Silver. Theirs even came with ice, making it the perfect refreshment on a hot summer day.
Rather than attempt to compete when they were so seriously outclassed, the Cutie Mark Crusaders gave up and hauled their ramshackle crate with its attached sign and curtains back to their treehouse. They abandoned their lemonade stand in back and swore never to speak of it again. They would just have to try something else tomorrow.