Focus
May 2O21
STUDENTS VENTURE Article by Marcos Membreno Photo Courtesy of John Pallard
“We just want to do the work, and if that means we have to compromise our price, that’s fine,” Nepple said. “We are going to work as much as we can while we are here and make as much money as we can, and if that means we have to sacrifice our pricing just a little bit, so be it … in the position we are in, it makes more logical sense for us to land every job.” Covering a 50 mile radius in the Orlando area, the strategy has proven useful as they After months of pushing each other to im- have a 95% conversion rate for every potenprove, staying up late nights, learning about tial customer approached. They believe that advertising and financing, finding new jobs, presenting themselves as highschool entrepreworking every lunch break and every study neurs has been “a good look” for them. “It’s very sporadic,” Katz said. “Some weeks hall, seniors Tyler Nepple and Carter Katz have you’re going to have 20 jobs and you’re going established themselves as young entrepreneurs to be overflowed and others there’ll be two.” in the Orlando area. Making around $350-400 Having made $3,000 on their best week, per job, they’ve created a steady cash-flowing Nepple hopes to target power washing business that as their average that will end up lasting “We are going to work as much for this summer. To do them for years — Premium Pressure Services as we can while we are here so, they are increasing their forms of adver“To be honest, I didn’t and make as much money as tising. know this could happen we can, and if that means we As of now they use 6 to 7 months ago,” Katz Facebook marketplace said. “A year ago, I wasn’t have to sacrifice our pricing ads, yard signs, Nexeven thinking about any just a little bit, so be it.” tdoor, door hangers of this.” and other open marAlthough their curTyler Nepple, Senior ketplaces. The biggest rent focus right now is step will be SEO, or the pressure washing search engine optimization, for Google which, company, this adventure began by putting up if done correctly, will allow them to rank highchristmas lights last December. Calling their er on Google search results. business Carter and Tyler’s Christmas Lights, In the future, Nepple and Katz plan to open they put up 250 flyers in the Winter Park area, branches near their future colleges in Miami and asked customers to pay whatever they beand Tallahassee respectively. There, they plan lieved was just. With this open fare payment, to study business and finance to get a better they managed to make a few thousand dollars. grasp for their long term goal — real estate. However, as sales were seasonal, they used the “A lot of this motivation that we have comes profits to transition onto their next venture — from starting a healthy lifestyle,” Nepple said. one that would be sustainable year-round. “Once you’re out there working out every day, After doing some research and deciding they eating healthy, you’ve already jumped the first wanted to stay with manual labor, the duo hurdle — improving yourself. So why not take landed on power washing. Investing in new it to every aspect of your life?” equipment with their previous profits, they The duo believes that if anyone wants to used their previous clients to roll into busistart their own business the first obstacle just ness. They kept their original pricing tactics to taking the first step. attract more jobs. In the midst of a pandemic, few students were able to pursue their goals, much less make them a reality. However, those who did were able to come back with newfound knowledge and a lucrative business.
Tyler Nepple & Carter Katz
“Just do it,” Nepple said. “If you’re talking about doing something and interested in that something or you want to make money, then just put your foot in the door. It doesn’t matter what happens. I drive around all day with a trailer attached to my little Chevy Volt and I don’t care.”
Nathaniel Cohen-Neamie Toward the end of quarantine, junior Nathaniel Cohen-Neamie stumbled across the “The Florida Project,” a movie about poverty in the Orlando area and its effect on children. The film inspired Cohen to pursue his passion for community outreach and betterment. In no time, he set out to create Nate’s Tutoring, a free tutoring service to help those who don’t have the means of hiring a tutor. However, like many first businesses, it fell short. Undeterred, Cohen continued his efforts in helping the community and, finding success after failure, started a tennis foundation that gives free lessons to players in the community. To share his experiences and grow his business and financial aspirations with the school community, Cohen then started the Investing and Business club. With 10 members, the club mainly focuses on investing, more specifically with stock market challenges — a way students can learn by simulating trading without risking real money. “I think it all started from the club and the [movie’s] inspiration,” Cohen said. “This year, after taking time off from tennis, I was given more time to work on these other ventures.” Cohen was able to develop two unique businesses, the Orlando Tennis Foundation and a social media marketing agency, Stallion Media. The Orlando Tennis Foundation was launched solely by Cohen. Teaching out of local parks, he quickly established roots within the community. Garnering the attention of friends and other tennis players willing to volunteer, Cohen has given free lessons for the last three months. “We just want to help and give back,” Co-
