MADISON, Wis. — For the past two semesters, Prairie Phoenix Academy junior Damien Gallegos has spent his free time after school washing cars.
“So, they're drying the car here. As you can see, they just washed the car and wiped it down with soap,” Gallegos said.
Gallegos is the co-founder of Splash N' Dash, a student-run car wash operating out of Prairie Phoenix Academy in Sun Prairie.
“We've built a little community here with everyone in the class. Everyone here has become friends. Honestly, it's a bit of a social environment for everyone,” Gallegos said. Ta.
(Spectrum News 1/Cody Taylor)
The business was developed in collaboration with the non-profit organization CEOs of Tomorrow. Prairie Phoenix Academy's Entrepreneurship class is offered to students each year.
Dr. Roxy Hentz is the founder of CEOs of Tomorrow. She said the class gives students the opportunity to start their own businesses.
“They not only learn about entrepreneurship, but also about marketing, finance, advertising and all the important things to start a business,” Hentz said.
(Spectrum News 1/Cody Taylor)
Through Splash N' Dash, students wash two cars a day after school. Hentz said all money earned by students will be donated to them.
“It's important that the proceeds go back to the students and also teach financial wellness education,” Hentz said.
She said Splash and Dash was so successful that it is now in its second term.
(Spectrum News 1/Cody Taylor)
Gallegos said he hopes to use the skills he learned while building this business to further his career.
“Being able to teach others how to do the job in case they need help helped me learn what it's like to clean a car and what it's like to be clean.” It's a good life skill to know things,” Gallegos said. .
