High schooler earns NFIB/Bill and Kathy Hybl Young Entrepreneur Award.
Meet NFIB Scholarship Winner Andrew Schoemaker of Colorado
Even at 13, the idea of running a small business appealed to Andrew Schoemaker.
“I just really wanted to be my own boss,” said Schoemaker, founder of Andrew’s Lawn Service in Fort Morgan, Colorado, about 80 miles northeast of Denver.
The company was born during Schoemaker’s freshman year of high school. At first, his only client was his grandpa, but after he placed fliers around the neighborhood, business grew quickly. Now, he mows about 26 lawns per week.
In recognition of his successful business, Schoemaker has received the 2016 NFIB/Bill and Kathy Hybl Young Entrepreneur Award, a college scholarship awarded by NFIB’s Young Entrepreneur Foundation. He plans to attend the University of Wyoming in the fall and study agriculture.
Although Schoemaker decides to tackle a heavy workload, he says one of the best parts about running his own business is the ability to decide how much or how little he wants to work each week. He’s also honed his craft to the point where he doesn’t have to think much before he starts mowing. “I kind of get into a rhythm, and I can get it done faster,” he said.
Schoemaker plans to continue his lawn business each summer when comes home for break.
“I like being able to make money and not have to report to someone,” he said.
