The spray from the power washer echoes off the concrete as sophomore Aarush Sojitra guides the sprayer nozzle across another section of driveway.
The water and dirt mix together, streaming toward the gutter. It’s a Saturday morning, and while some of his classmates are sleeping in, Sojitra is two hours into his workday.
He adjusts his grip, moving methodically across the surface. By the time he finishes this job in Porter Ranch, he’ll have another appointment in Northridge. Welcome to the weekend life of a teenage business owner.
The idea started simple. Sojitra wanted to make money and build his college application. Powerwashing seemed low-risk and didn’t require much startup investment since he already had the equipment. He pitched the idea to a few friends, and Aqua Edge Power Washing was born.
Sojitra is part of a growing wave of high school students who aren’t waiting for summer jobs at the mall. They’re launching their own businesses, learning to manage money and customers while juggling AP classes and sports. For them, being an entrepreneur isn’t just about income, but building something of their own before college applications are even due.
“We wanted something risk-free that would look good on college apps and figured this was something we could do together,” Sojitra said. “We had all the equipment we needed and learned how to manage our money.”
The original plan was simple: A summer business that would end when school started.
“Originally, this was supposed to be a summer thing,” he said. “We realized that if we wanted to continue making money and keep our customer base, we have to work on the weekend, so that’s what we do.”
His clients have adapted to working with teenage business owners who are only available on weekends.
Most of his work comes from his local area and family connections. But Instagram has become crucial for growth, helping him reach customers beyond his immediate network.
“Most of our customer base is in Porter Ranch, Northridge and lots of close family friends,” he said. “We also have people who found us on Nextdoor and on our Instagram @aquaedgewashing.”
The business took off quickly. Now Aqua Edge washes cars, driveways and trash cans throughout the area.
The work requires more than just equipment.
“You need discipline to continue going on,” he said. “I know sometimes it may seem hard. It’s a lot of manual labor, but you have to have the right mindset and lots of efficiency. You can’t be sitting around all the time.”
Sojitra isn’t just running a business. He also plays tennis, takes AP classes and somehow makes it all work.
“Two of us play tennis and the other is on cross country. We’re all taking three APs or more,” he said. “Right now, I am trying to balance it better and work on my time management.”
For other students considering starting their own business, Sojitra has some straightforward advice.
“Definitely go for it and don’t forget what you are working for, even if it’s something shallow,” he said. “It can help you in the long run.”
By noon on Saturday, Sojitra has finished two jobs and is heading to a third. His phone buzzes with a new message from a potential customer who found Aqua Edge on Instagram. Monday morning he’ll be back in AP classes. But for now, there’s another driveway waiting.
This article originally appeared in the Fall 2025 print edition.
