The Lemon Perfect was born out of a love for citrus. Freshly squeezed juice is tricky to get right, and there are many ways to create it. Truthfully, most people settle for what they know and recreate squeeze pops with the juicer they used in high school. But Yanni Hufnagel wanted more. The idea of making a great product and experience for his customers was the driving force behind Lemon Perfect.
Using a patented extraction process, he created an entirely new and innovative product that stood out in the marketplace. Yanni Hufnagel made a sustainable development that captured the flavor of freshly squeezed juice. His product revolutionized the way people thought about juice and helped him create a foundation that would allow him to become an entrepreneur.
While attending Cornell University, Yanni discovered he had an interest in entrepreneurship. It started as a hobby but quickly became his major as Yanni began to explore every opportunity with an entrepreneurial mindset. It wasn’t easy and tested his passion for perfection on several levels. Lemon Perfect is now a successful business with plans for expansion and new product lines, but it didn’t come without challenges.
Hufnagel is an active philanthropist, donating to various causes, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Global AIDS Foundation, and other nonprofit organizations. He encourages others to look for ways to contribute to their community and find a way to give back.
Yanni is one of the nation’s youngest CEOs of a publicly traded company. Business Insider named him as one of the “13 Under 25 Most Powerful Young Entrepreneurs 2014”. Yanni Hufnagel is also a Partner at Mid America Venture Fund, where he helps German-based technology entrepreneurs start their businesses in Kansas City.
What made Yanni eager to move to Kansas City was the opportunity to help build a strong community and make a difference. He believes entrepreneurs must be willing to change the world through their work.