Written by: Natalee Boutelle
Starting a business in high school presents an opportunity for young entrepreneurs. It teaches important life skills, like being organized and handling money. It lets you come up with exciting ideas, figure out how to make them real, and then share them with the world.
Senior Isaac Curtis discovered his passion for auto detailing while working at Titan Tint and Graphics. He started there as a detailer under the guidance of Jesse Tincher and later trained with professional detailer Jordan Warren.
When Titan decided to discontinue their detailing services, Curtis said, “I saw an opportunity to pursue a dream.”
At 16, Curtis started his business, Curtis Customs Auto.
“I want the goal of delivering high-quality detailing and making a positive impact in the community,” he said.
Starting a business can be difficult and challenging, but if you stay committed, you can start to build a customer base. Nearly three years later, Curtis's business is one of the top detailing services in Washington County.
Parents can be your biggest inspiration because they've shown the importance of following a dream. That is the case for sophomore Valerie Bravo, whose parents have owned restaurants and businesses. Her family was her inspiration.
“I grew up around an entrepreneurial mindset,” she said.
Bravo started a face mask business during Covid and sold 1,000 masks.
“I watched my parents succeed and thrive and it made me want to learn how to start something of my own,” she said.
They passed down their work ethic and business knowledge to Bravo, and that has been the biggest part of why she started her business. Now she has Bravo Media, where she does all kinds of photography and media work.
A business that came out of a hobby became Donovan Zinser's passion.
“ I started my business around 2022 and started to create and sell custom woodworking products,” he said.
Zinser's inspirations came from seeing a wood bow tie show a few years earlier and learning how to carve in 2022. He was able to learn how to use different tools to make different products throughout the years. He now has Zinser Wood Crafts and is thriving.
Ultimately, the success of these high school entrepreneurs proves that age has no barrier to start a business. The future of professions can be shaped by passion.