For most students, balancing homework, clubs and a part-time job can feel like an immense challenge. But for Luke Ringlein, the after-school chore is not working at a small coffee shop or pushing carts at the local supermarket; it is running his own mobile car detailing business.
Ringlein’s journey into the world of detailing began with a short stint at Sonic, where he quickly realized that traditional jobs were not the right fit.
“When I was there, I always messed up counting change or [I] would forget something,” Ringlein said.
One day, after stumbling across a YouTube video of someone demonstrating car detailing, he decided to give it a shot. Using the money he had earned from Sonic, he equipped himself with all the tools and launched Wheelly Clean.
“I just didn’t like the idea of working for someone else,” Ringlein said. “With this, I get to be my own boss.”
The business model is simple; he travels to people’s homes offering premium auto cleaning services, dusting, vacuuming, stain removal and even carpet shampooing of vehichles. Each detail takes him only about two or three hours of labor, however, the straightforward model grows more complex as juggling customers and classes becomes a struggle.
“Sometimes I have to cancel [appointments] if I get a ton of work dumped on me right before the weekend,” Ringlein said. “That is always tough because I pride myself on my business’s professionalism.”
Still, he has found ways to adapt. His weekday schedule is packed with homework, college applications and family responsibilities, so most jobs get done on the weekends.
“Having my own business lets me determine my own hours and pay,” Ringlein said.
While the job helps cover gas, insurance and other necessities, it has also helped him as a student.
“It forced me to become more comfortable meeting new people and being confident enough to sell my service,” Ringlein said. “That confidence has carried over to my group projects and presentations.”
Though he doesn’t plan to scale Wheelly Clean past high school, Ringlein sees a different purpose in it.
“I want to work in corporate leadership and strategy, so having business leadership experience is essential,” Ringlein said.
Ringlein’s story shows that not every side hustle, whether it be as small as a gig at a local burger joint or as big as managing your own company, has to diminish school life. It can enhance it and make you into not only a stronger worker and student but also a stronger person.
