Lincoln Snyder
Grade: 12
Location: Denton, Texas
Business Name:
Sunshine Exteriors
Revenue: $60,000
Lincoln Snyder - Formidable Fellow
At just 17 years old, Lincoln Snyder has done what many adults dream of. He runs Sunshine Exteriors, a cleaning company in Denton, Texas. Lincoln is smart, determined, and creative. That’s why we chose him for the Formidable Fellowship. Here’s his amazing story.
How It All Started
Lincoln’s story began in middle school when he sold candy to his classmates. Even though his school didn’t allow it, this small business idea gave him his first taste of entrepreneurship. Later, Lincoln worked at Walmart, but he didn’t enjoy being told what he could and couldn’t do. He wanted to try something on his own, so he started Sunshine Exteriors.
He began with power washing and then added window cleaning, gutter cleaning, and even holiday lighting. In less than two years, Lincoln has served over 300 customers and earned more than $60,000. Half of that money came in just 45 days from his Christmas lighting business!
The First Steps Were Hard
Lincoln’s business didn’t take off right away. To get his first customer, he knocked on 50 doors in the hot Texas sun before someone said yes. On that first job, his power washer broke, and he had to use his Walmart savings to buy a new one. These early struggles taught Lincoln to never give up.
Learning and Growing
At first, Lincoln thought he needed to offer as many services as possible. But now he focuses on services that make the most money and take the least amount of time, like holiday lighting. He also simplified his pricing to make it easier for himself and his team.
Lincoln didn’t learn these skills in school. Instead, he taught himself using YouTube and social media. He even learned how to advertise online using tools like Nextdoor and Google. His smart use of technology has helped his business grow quickly.
Building a Team
Lincoln now has four part-time employees, all students like him. He looks for kids who work hard and are willing to learn. By hiring others, Lincoln has more time to focus on making his business better.
Thoughts on School
While Lincoln’s business is thriving, he says school hasn’t been very helpful. He feels that schools don’t offer enough classes that teach real-world skills. For example, his business class is taught by a coach who doesn’t have experience in entrepreneurship. Lincoln believes schools could do a better job by offering more practical and interesting classes.
What’s Next?
Lincoln is a senior in high school, and he hopes to go to the University of Michigan. In college, he wants to keep growing as a business owner and find new ideas to make money. He knows there’s still a lot to learn, and he’s excited about the future.
Why Lincoln is Formidable
The Formidable Fellowship celebrates young people who are creative, hardworking, and ready to change the world. Lincoln Snyder is all of these things and more. He’s proof that with determination and the right mindset, anything is possible.
We are proud to support Lincoln and can’t wait to see what he does next!