Author Archive for wardjw21

R.J. Duarte’s GreenWorx – Reliable Lawncare For an Affordable Price

R.J. Duarte, a remarkable nineteen-year-old entrepreneur, has found his passion for working. Although he was accepted into Colorado State University, he chose to forgo this opportunity and instead decided to forge his unique path. He stated, “College wasn’t for me,” a sentiment that reflects his remarkable success in running a landscaping business that roughly generates six figures in revenue. R.J. remarked, “I figured I should stick with this,” which is an impressive achievement for someone at such a young age considering the risks involved with pursuing this idea.

His journey began at eight years old in Golden, Colorado, where he started mowing lawns. His strong work ethic at an early age significantly contributed to his business’s success, allowing him to triple his yearly income. By middle school, he partnered with a friend to expand their lawn care services. During his high school years, he branded his venture GreenWorx.

After graduating, R.J.’s friend decided to pursue collegiate studies, resulting in a separation. However, R.J. took charge and envisioned some considerable potential for growth and innovation within his company. He rebranded GreenWorx, transforming it into a premium landscaping and maintenance service. He expressed his entrepreneurial mindset: “It’s higher margins for more risk. ” He acknowledged that “headaches” come with the territory but emphasized that “without headaches, there’s no reward.”

Currently, GreenWorx employs between twelve and fifteen staff members, primarily composed of high school students. R.J.’s decision to focus on his business has yielded substantial results, with GreenWorx projected to generate around $750,000 this year. This success underscores R.J.’s innovative strategies and determination. He concludes with a statement about his team, saying, “We’re hardworking, blue-collar people,” and asserts, “There’s nothing wrong with that.” It is truly commendable how he and his co-workers thrive while doing what they love to do. It is a great story to hear about how perseverance and determination can pay off when chasing your dreams, as shown by R.J.

To hear more about R.J.’s inspiring story, click the link to watch this short YouTube video: Green Worx Landscaping & Lawn Service, 2015 Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars Winner, 12-15 Age Category – YouTube

 

Nick Gray – Young Entrepreneur

Nick Gray’s beginning years in New Hampshire helped lay the groundwork for his remarkable entrepreneurial journey. His education at the esteemed Philips Exeter Academy provided a strong foundation before pursuing further studies at Cornell University, where he majored in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and graduated with honors in three years. Subsequently, he pursued a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University, honing his problem-solving and analytical skills.

Following his academic pursuits, Gray embarked on a successful engineering career at Pratt & Whitney, where he played a pivotal role in designing turbine blades for military aircraft. However, his desire to make a tangible impact on communities steered him towards entrepreneurship, and so he left his position at Pratt & Whitney to make it happen.

In 2017, Gray’s jump into real estate began when he purchased a duplex in New Hampshire while sparking his passion for the industry. This then led to the acquisition of more properties and the attainment of a real estate license. Eventually, he made the bold decision to transition into real estate full-time, founding Gray Property Group, which rapidly expanded to manage over 50 renovated apartments valued at $9 million and oversee properties totaling $30 million by 2021.

Today, in addition to leading his real estate group, Nick Gray serves as a First Lieutenant in the New Hampshire Air National Guard and is actively involved in various municipal boards. His outstanding achievements culminated in being honored as the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Nick Gray’s journey exemplifies the fusion of academic excellence, professional success, and a commitment to making a meaningful impact in both the business world and the community. His commitment and willingness to try new things have allowed him to reach horizons that he would have originally never dreamed of reaching. Nick is an example to us all and should give us confidence that we can pursue our dreams on our terms.

To read more about Nick and his journey, click the link to learn more about his achievements: Landing Page – Gray Property Group

Hart Main – Boy Entrepreneur Now Famous

This story is about a boy who found success due to an improbable reason: for teasing his sister. The general assumption may be that sibling rivalry often unleashes creativity; in this case, it indeed does. Hart Main, 13, did not like the floral attributes of the scented candles his sister made for a school project. He said with sarcasm that there was a need to have male candles that did not smell lavender. The mum was attentive, and she kept nagging him to make these male-smelling candles. Hart took up the challenge and made it a successful brand with support from both parents in all ways.

Hart Main was unique in many ways. First, when his mother insisted that he develop an idea born of a joke, he pursued it instead of laughing it off. Second, the Mains were a family motivated by curiosity to see how their idea would unfold. Third, Hart was one to embrace opportunity at each turn of his life and to take what had been a joke to become a major invention. The Hart family is the epicenter of curiosity-driven by hope and possibility. His mom, Amy Main, said, “I do that with all of my kids—I listen to them. Even if it sounds like they’re joking, if their idea seems feasible, I encourage them to pursue it.”

What was so spectacular about Hart’s idea? He had found a niche; he knew fragrant candles were marketed to women, and he wanted to create a product for men. He had the keen ability to identify a need and fill it, making that need a successful business opportunity. His question was the start of an idea that then became a successful company.

However, what I want to suggest is that the protagonist of this story is not Hart but his mother. The difference between him and many children is minimal; what places him into a different rank is the growth environment his mother provided for him, in which curiosity was allowed to be pursued and ideas were developed. Without that, he would have never been able to figure out that producing candles was his future.

This story has taught me many things, but the one main thing that it taught me was to always pursue your dreams and never give up on yourself. Hart always believed in himself to be great, and so should I.

To read more about Hart Main, click the link here

Moziah “Mo” Bridges – Bowtie Entrepreneur Who is Changing the Game

Moziah Bridges

Moziah Bridges was just 9 years old when he first launched his bowtie business “Mo’s Bows”. Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Moziah has been trying to impact his community in some way for quite sometime. As a kid, he would always try to find bow ties to wear, but could never find any that caught his eye. Because of this, he approached his grandmother and asked her to help sew some fabric together for him.

As a result, his continuous work ethic has allowed him to reap in thousands and thousands of dollars of profits. Moziah always liked to give back to the community, and this was no different, With the money that he made, he was able to start the GoMo Scholarship Fund. The GoMoScholarship Fund was a way for Moziah to give back. He chooses a particular bow tie from the yearly designs and sends 100% of the proceeds back to charity.

Mo’s Bows uses the money to send some kids to camp during the summer. Bridges picks some kids from his hometown, Orange Mound, and sends them to Glenview Community Center. There, the kid’s meals are entirely paid for and so is their stay at the camp for the summer. Through all of this, Moziah has continued to raise more and more money, which has allowed him to give back even more to the community.

Moziah also has had the opportunity to appear on Shark Tank, and other shows broadcasted all over the United States. His incredible talent and entrepreneurial spirit have inspired many of the younger generation, showing that age and his background should not limit anyone’s dreams or aspirations they have in life. He is still in the business, and uses his platform to impact many people in the Memphis area, and also across the United States. Mo’s Bows is a fantastic story that shows what hard work and dedication can turn into with the proper motivation and help around you.

To watch a short clip of Steve Harvey talking about Mo’s Bows, click here