Growing up, I didn’t have a clear path to follow. My childhood included family struggles with addiction and mental health issues, and money was often tight. I was never given a roadmap to success, but I did have the motivation to play the hand I was dealt the best I could.
That insistence turned into action. One winter morning, I bundled up, grabbed a shovel, and went door-to-door offering a snow removal service. I still remember my first customer: an older woman who watched me from her window as I shovelled her walkway, making me question if I was doing a good job. She came out with hand warmers to put in my gloves, a big smile, and a hug to thank me.
Her kind words, gestures, and actions impacted me more than any grade or compliment I have received — it told me that small work done well mattered. It told me I could create something useful for my neighbourhood, and that people would appreciate it.
From that first job I started Hire a Teen, a small service business doing odd jobs like window cleaning, lawn care, dog walking, flyer distribution … you name it. I learned more in those first few weeks than I ever did watching “How to Be Successful” videos on YouTube at 2:00 a.m.
Cold-calling neighbours and local businesses taught me how to handle rejection. I made my own service agreement to reassure clients I wouldn’t run off with their money and tools, and built a spreadsheet to track jobs and expenses.
More importantly, I learned that confidence doesn’t come from feeling ready; it comes from doing something, before you are.
Starting a business was only half of the story. At school, I noticed students who were bright and curious, but unsure how to turn ideas into action. I knew exactly how that felt because I had been one of those students myself.
So, I started an Entrepreneurship & Leadership Club. I printed a few unique posters, hung them up everywhere in the school, and posted them on Instagram. I honestly expected seven or eight people. Over 60 students showed up within the first two weeks.
Antonio leading an Entrepreneurship & Leadership Club workshop as students engage in discussion
That reaction was a turning point. The club became a place where students could try things without the pressure of grades. We are running workshops on public speaking and entrepreneurship, hosting guest speakers from local businesses, and setting up mentorship and volunteer opportunities.
We use Google Classroom and a Discord server to keep conversations going between meetings, and the club now has a presence on Instagram where members share wins and questions.
What started as a small experiment quickly showed me that many students want to learn these much-needed skills — they just need someone to guide them.
A short while before this, I took on a role at Olive Tree Builds as a Business Development Lead. There, I learned how to approach decision-makers, how to prepare a professional pitch and how to track results in a CRM. That experience bridged the gap between my door-to-door hustle and professional business development.
It was one thing to offer services in my neighbourhood; it was another to sit across a table from a CEO and book a professional meeting. Both taught me the same lesson: skills are learned by doing.
Outside of business work, I tutor students in math and try to be a person they can direct their questions to. Tutoring has taught me patience and how to explain things multiple ways until a concept clicks. It’s also another way I get to invest in my community.
There’s this moment when someone finally gets it — the look that says, “Wait, that’s all it was?” — and honestly, it’s addictive. Helping peers pass a test feels just as satisfying as closing a sale. Maybe more.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the last year, it’s that action matters more than permission. Waiting for the perfect moment was my biggest mistake and I found that out through LOTS of procrastination.
The tools you need are simple: curiosity, a willingness to try, a decent spreadsheet, and maybe a good night’s sleep (still working on that one).
I don’t present myself as a finished product. I’m still learning, still balancing school, work and whatever else life throws my way. But I’ve seen the effect a little initiative can have on other students: more confidence, clearer goals, and a willingness to try.
If one thing in this story should stick, it’s this: you don’t need to wait until after high school to start building the skills you’ll use for life. Start now. Make something small. It can be so simple. It may fail. At least you tried. Then learn from it.
If any students or schools want to connect, run a workshop, or just talk about getting started, I’m always happy to help. I’m no professional, and I humbly acknowledge that, but I will do my very best to help anyone I can.