High school students kickstart car washing business

MADISON, Wis. — For the past two semesters, Prairie Phoenix Academy junior Damien Gallegos has spent his free time after school washing cars.

“So here, they are drying off the car. They just got done cleaning it and wiping it down with soap, as you can see,” said Gallegos. 

Gallegos is the co-founder of Splash N’ Dash, a student-run car washing business that operates out of the Prairie Phoenix Academy in Sun Prairie. 

“We built here a little community with everyone that is in the class and everyone here has become friends and honestly it is a little social environment for everyone,” said Gallegos. 

The business was developed in a collaboration with the nonprofit organization CEOs of Tomorrow. The Prairie Phoenix Academy entrepreneur classes are offered each year to students. 

Dr. Roxie Hentz is the founder of CEOs of Tomorrow. She said the classes give the students the opportunity to start their own business. 

“They learn about entrepreneurship but also marketing, finance, advertising and all of the things that are important to launch a business,” said Hentz. 

(Spectrum News 1/Cody Taylor)

Through Splash N’ Dash, students wash two cars a day after school. Hentz said all of the money made by the students goes to the students. 

“Proceeds go back to the students and it is important that we are also teaching financial wellness education,” said Hentz. 

She said because Splash N’ Dash was so successful, it is now entering its second semester. 

(Spectrum News 1/Cody Taylor)

Gallegos said he hopes he can take the skills he learns through building this business and use them to further his career. 

“Being able to show others how to do the job in case other people need help and it is a good life skill to have, to know what it is like to clean your car and know what it is like to be clean,” said Gallegos.