Being a successful business owner as a sophomore isn’t generally expected, but for sophomore Luke Valesek that goal was met. Beginning this summer, with the help of some friends and family, he has picked up clients that he mows for every week. Valasek started mowing lawns just for the fun of it around the community, which has turned into something he enjoys doing all of the time.

“I first started my business earlier this summer and it has come with ups and downs but the easiest part is definitely mowing the lawns,” Valasek said.

Starting this business has helped him throughout summer and he has gained many lifelong skills. He shares that the easiest part is mowing the laws but having ups always means there will be downs.

“Getting the word out there was difficult and took a couple of weeks but once I got clients, I just stuck with them throughout summer,” Valasek said.

Getting clients is never easy; but once you get the customers, it gets easier. He stays with them throughout summer which can help keep his business successful.

“I do all my yards on the weekends, about six or seven. I also plan to keep mowing laws during high school but maybe not college,” Valasek said.

Most of his mowing gets done on the weekends because of his limited weekday schedule with football. He works hard to show off his best work.

Valasek had a partner through all of this that helped him with everything. Senior Jayden Ish assisted him through getting the word out there, starting to mow, and keeping the clients.

“Starting a business at a young age is a really cool thing to do because it gets names out there and builds characteristics. It also “teaches me how to start a business and handle money,” Ish said.

Ish explains how starting a business is complicated and stressful at first, but he was up for the challenge. He worked with Valasek throughout the summer as a sidekick.

“It is cool getting to watch Luke become successful with this business, I helped Luke get started as a partner and now he’s all on his own, but when he needs help I still step up to help him out,” Ish stated.

The support Ish has for Valasek shows how proud he is of him. Ish also helps Valasek when he is overwhelmed with the amount of mowing.

“Mowing lawns is overall a peace making activity for me, and I love that I can do something that I like but also make a business out of it,” Valasek said.