From Lawns to Leadership: How Nicholas Turned a Hobby into a Thriving Business
When 14-year-old Nicholas from Miramichi, New Brunswick, first participated in PowerPlay Young Entrepreneurs, he never imagined he would be running his own business and leading a team of other youth eager to make an impact in their local community.
Like many students, Nicholas began with a simple passion: helping neighbours mow their lawns. Through the program, Nicholas dove into topics like marketing, customer service, and financial management. That spark led to FreshCut Lawn Care, which made over $12,000 in profit in its very first year.
"PowerPlay taught me valuable business skills like connecting with customers, which helped me see new possibilities for my future. One of the biggest ways I've grown is in my ability to communicate one-on-one. I've developed a more professional and polished way of speaking in individual conversations. Whether it's interacting with clients, networking, or building relationships, I've learned how to speak more effectively and professionally, which has made a huge difference."
What started with some old equipment and several clients quickly evolved into a thriving venture. Within weeks, he had more customers than he could handle on his own. His supportive family began pitching in, and he even hired several friends to help with the workload.
"My parents play such a big role in supporting me. My dad drives me around to all my jobs, does all the whipper snipping, and helps so much. My mom is the one who handles all the planning and operations. We really work as a team. Being able to collaborate with my family is something I truly value."
How a Few Conversations Sparked Big Growth
What made even more of a difference, Nicholas says, was the guidance and encouragement he received from PowerPlay mentors and volunteers at CIBC Foundation.
"The experience of working with mentors has been incredibly valuable." Nicholas shared. "Personally, I've really enjoyed doing the homework because it feels different from other assignments. Since I'm passionate about my business, every task feels meaningful and exciting rather than just another obligation. Working on something I truly care about makes the whole process not only engaging but also genuinely fun."
Nicholas met regularly with mentors, including local CIBC employees who guided him through pitching his business, managing his profits, and tracking his expenses. With his increased knowledge in financial literacy and the help of his parents, he was able to secure a loan through CIBC to purchase more powerful tools, such as a commercial lawn mower.
"I wanted to provide services like mowing, whipper snipping, and raking, but now I want to expand with even more offerings to help people take care of their homes. Before diving into entrepreneurship, I didn't realize how important financial literacy was, but now I see how crucial it is to managing and growing a business. I never really pictured myself as an entrepreneur, but now, I can definitely see it being part of my future. I hope to keep building on what I've learned and expand my business even more as I grow."
Turning Bumps into Breakthroughs
Running a business hasn't been all sunshine and neatly trimmed lawns. Nicholas learned to deal with unexpected challenges along the way.
"There have been a lot of mistakes and challenges, and I've learned to not view them as reasons to give up, but as lessons. For instance, there were times when our equipment broke down on-site, and we had to quickly figure out what to do. Instead of sitting around, we had to take action and find a solution. These situations have taught me valuable lessons about how we can prevent similar issues in the future. It's all about learning from what went wrong and using that knowledge to improve for next time."
One of the most profound outcomes of PowerPlay Young Entrepreneurs is how students acquire both tangible and soft skills that are unique to their experiences. Nicholas spent time learning how to build a website and marketing on social media to further enhance his business, but he shares that there are many other insights he gained through his journey. "The most significant value of PowerPlay for me is probably learning how to adapt. You have to be flexible and resourceful, and think on your feet when challenges come up.”
The Next Chapter
What started as a classroom project has transformed into a growing venture with a reputation for quality and reliability. For Nicholas, entrepreneurship is no longer just an experiment; it's a path full of possibilities which is shaping his future and inspiring him to dream even bigger.
"I bring passion, dedication, and a fresh perspective to this industry. As a young entrepreneur, I feel supported and a lot more connected to my community. My next big goal is to donate part of my profits to my school and PowerPlay Young Entrepreneurs so more young people can pursue their goals and dreams."
Nicholas' story demonstrates that with curiosity, guidance, and determination, students can create a significant impact for themselves, their families, and their communities.