For most high schoolers, a job means minimum wage and a ruined weekend. But Kaden O’Dell and Logan Mckenzie had something else in mind. The two students took what was a small side hustle and turned it into a five figure business.
When describing his business, O’Dell said, “KL Autospa is a premium automobile detailing service dedicated to restoring and protecting your vehicle with meticulous attention to detail.”
The pair boast a 92% profit margin with $50,000 in total earnings. However, the two did not experience immediate success.
“We started with a sponge, some soap and determination. That was about it,” O’Dell said. Their large profit is partially due to the fact that they can schedule up to five jobs a week. “In one weekend of just detailing, we can make anywhere from $500 to $2,500,” said O’Dell.
However, they did not build up that clientele overnight. “The hardest part of the job is actually getting clients,” O’Dell said. “It was super hard to find clients and go door to door knocking, asking for work.”
For Mckenzie, part of the initial appeal of KL Autospa was that it offered something different from a normal teenage job. Rather than working a typical set shift, his hours are more flexible, allowing him to work hours more suited to schoolwork and other activities.
“I didn’t want to work a normal job, and I decided that I’d rather do something I truly enjoy with my friend, so we started detailing,” McKenzie said.
McKenzie also talked about the delicate balance between school, his job and his personal life.“Kaden and I split [our detailing jobs] 50/50 the majority of the time,” McKenzie said. “The workload of school, and having to manage working, doing details mostly on weekends, and making time for [details], that’s the most difficult part.”
Their hard work paid off. As the business continues to spread, the two rarely have to search for work, setting many of their clients up on monthly plans to ensure their business remains steady.
(Solomon Strasburg)
Stacy Byrne, a recurring client, first heard about KL autospa through a friend. “I figured I wanted to give a Redwood student an opportunity since they were working hard and hustling,” said Byrne.
Byrne described her positive experience with KL autospa.
“They shouldn’t hesitate at all because they’re wonderfully responsible,” Byrne said when asked if others should consider booking services. “Kaden and Logan are really exceptionally hard workers and they really care about doing good work.”
As a parent, Byrne shared her admiration for their drive.”Kaden and Logan are really exceptionally hard workers and they really care about doing good work. We should be encouraging our kids to be entrepreneurs like them,” Byrne said.
O’Dell and Mckenzie are dedicated to continuing to grow the business. “Our hope is to scale this to the point where we have a shop and can do more high end services,” said O’Dell.
For other students thinking about starting their own business, O’Dell keeps his advice simple. “Stay consistent and try to network as much as you can, because the more clients and connections you make with people, the better off you are,” said O’Dell.
