Entrepreneurs make our country the economic powerhouse it is. This Labor Day weekend, we salute those who go out on a limb and sometimes risk it all to produce a product or service that betters someone else’s existence.

We tend to forget that America is not only a shining example of democracy, but also capitalism, an economic system that may have its critics but is the best way so far devised to tap human potential without treading on individuals’ freedom. We mostly hear negativity about capitalism in the media and even from our own political leaders, who seem to feel ashamed of it for some reason, but, along with democracy, these principles guide all that happens in our country.

Behind the catchphrase and theory, however, are real people. Capitalism requires entrepreneurs and risk takers who have an idea for a company and work to make it successful. The companies with the best ideas – the ones providing services and products that many people want to purchase – end up making gobs of money for the owners, their employees and those who have shared the risk by investing in the company. Apple Inc., for perhaps the best example in modern times, makes stuff people really want, and has enriched employees, shareholders and customers all at the same time.

Entrepreneurs are at the heart of a company. Someone had to start the company – it didn’t just appear out of thin air. Entrepreneurial spirit is all over America, not just in Silicon Valley. So, for this Labor Day, we want to highlight a few creative and young entrepreneurs we’ve written about recently in our pages. Their hard work and persistence are admirable.

In Cape Elizabeth, Nat Jordan, 16, has opened LemonCycle, a mobile lemonade stand, after raising $2,500 for start-up costs from an online Kickstarter campaign. Having secured a vending license for Portland, Jordan uses an adult-sized tricycle featuring a small counter with sinks, a cooler and storage. After purchasing the bike this spring, Jordan began constructing the pushcart with help from a local woodworker. We’re sure he’ll have plenty to write in his “How I spent my summer” essay.

Jordan, who grew up selling cups of lemonade at Fort Williams for 50 cents apiece, is an inspiration. He loves lemonade and has a killer recipe that he wants to share with others. We think he probably learned more this summer working with regulations and building the contraption and planning his route and pricing strategy than he would in a Business 101 class in college.

In Westbrook, the entrepreneurial spirit shines brightly as well. City resident Al Arsenault, 28, started pickling at home in early 2014 and wowed his friends and coworkers with his creations. During the last year, his business, AL’s Pals Pickles, has expanded to include five flavors, as well as relish. Local businesses such as Rosemont Market have picked up his product and Arsenault hopes more stores will follow. We do, too.

In Windham, Ashley Small, 28, a real estate agent, office manager and full-time dog lover, has taken her passion and created a dog-focused magazine titled, FIDO Magazine. Billed as “Maine’s Guide to All Things Dog,” the glossy, 84-page, full-color quarterly publication features a couple dozen contributors and sells for $4.50 at dog-related retailers and groomers across the state.

Small, who owns several rescue dogs of her own, has gone in with all fours on this project and we know she’ll be successful because her first issue is full of quality stories and photographs, and really pops on the shelves. She had no experience with publishing, and through lots of effort and bold thinking, has created a great product. She truly embodies the entrepreneurial spirit.

These three examples may run the gamut, but the common thread is the owners are working hard, taking real risks, and hope to be rewarded financially for their persistence and talent. Even if they fail, which does happen in a competitive marketplace, their entrepreneurial spirit will keep them going in other directions until they’re successful.

As Labor Day approaches, let’s think about all those entrepreneurs who have made and make our lives better.We couldn’t live without the capitalists among us who make things happen.

– John Balentine, managing editor