Yosef Shell of Bergenfield is a lot like other kids. He enjoys hanging out with his friends, playing video games, and keeping up with his favorite sports teams. What sets the TABC sophomore apart, though, is that at only 15 years old he has launched his own company: Spotless Power Washing. Yosef is using this new venture to offer affordable power washing services to those in the Bergen County area.
Yosef has always had an entrepreneurial mindset, and in the past he even sold shoes. He decided his next venture would be power washing after coming home from school one day and seeing his father working with the device outside their house.
“It looked cool and I wanted to give it a try,” Yosef shared with The Jewish Link. “So my dad let me, and I had a lot of fun. It got me thinking that maybe this was a service that people could find helpful. I started doing peoples’ houses and was getting good reviews, so I decided to make it into a real business.”
Yosef invested in his own equipment and thus Spotless Power Washing was born. His specialties are driveways, patios, decks and fences. Though the company is still relatively young, Yosef reports that he’s having a blast.
“It can be overwhelming at times with everything going on already with school, but there’s so much I’m learning,” Yosef continued. “I love getting to be in charge and experiencing the ins and outs of running a business. I hope to work in business after college, so all of this is great practice.”
Of the money Yosef brings in, 30% goes first to tzedaka. After that, he’s putting the rest towards saving for his future and future investments. He reports that his parents are very supportive, always offering him advice and guidance.
“My one rule is that I can keep doing my work as long as my grades stay strong, but that hasn’t been a problem,” Yosef continued. “My parents really want the best for me, and they think it’s a good experience to have for the future. The fact that I’m making money and having fun just makes it all the better.”
With winter fast approaching, Yosef says that he plans to pivot his efforts to snow shoveling, and then resume power washing come the spring. For now though, he’s just enjoying the work and making the most of it that he can.
“It’s been a great experience so far,” Yosef continued. “I love going around town and helping out with the power-washing machine. In addition to the work itself being rewarding, it’s also super satisfying to watch all the dirt and grime come off, leaving a clean surface. There’s really nothing like it.”
For other teens similarly looking to pursue entrepreneurial interests of their own, Yosef has the following words of advice to share:
“Don’t be afraid to ask your parents for help,” Yosef said. “They can really help you out by giving good advice and pointing you in the right direction. Doing your own research also helps a ton, no matter what you’re doing.”
Yosef has taken a number of jobs since the company launched. He credits his success to a personal approach that he says has never failed him.
“I treat every job as if it’s the most important one I’ll do,” said. “If I can do a good job and leave a positive impact on the customer, then they’re more likely to recommend me to their friends, which means more opportunities in the future. And so I’m always thinking about that going in. It makes me want to do the best I can.”
If you would like to learn more about Spotless Power Washing and their services, you can email them at [email protected] or call 201-981-3666. They can be followed on Instagram at @spotless.powerwashing.
Adam Samuel is a journalist from Teaneck. He blogs at www.adamssoapbox.com.
