In Dripping Springs, the next generation of men is on the rise.
Across this town that values community and hard work, several teenage boys are building businesses the old-fashioned way by showing up, getting their hands dirty, and earning trust one job at a time. What started out as simple ideas—clean a grill, haul some junk, pick up yard work—has turned into something more. Forward-thinking, industrious, and courteous, you might even call these teens gentlemen.
While teenagers are often cast as disconnected, these young men have stepped up to take on real-life responsibility and hands-on service. Along the way, they’re learning lessons that can be hard to come by these days: how to communicate, manage their time, solve problems, and take pride in a job well done. Here are a few of the young entrepreneurs who are making Drip proud.
Colton Hanson: Flame Fresh
A recent graduate of Dripping Springs High School, 18-year-old Colton Hanson wasn’t necessarily looking for a business idea; he was just paying attention. After watching his dad tackle the greasy job of cleaning his outdoor grill, he took note of the transformation—and the time and effort it required. It made him think: How many people actually keep up with this chore? And that sparked the idea for Flame Fresh.
Flame Fresh specializes in deep cleaning grills to restore them to look—and cook—like new. Hanson also offers full outdoor kitchen cleanings, from stainless steel polishing to pressure washing countertops and surrounding areas.
It didn’t take long for Hanson to realize he was onto something. Shortly after launching and spreading the word about Flame Fresh, Hanson was out of town for spring break when his phone started blowing up with calls and texts from potential customers. “That’s when it hit me that this business was working,” he says.
It became even more real when he brought his brother along on a job. Teaching someone else gave him a new perspective. “Seeing him pick it up and learn was really cool, and it made me realize how much I’ve learned myself,” says Hanson. “It also made the whole job more fun and showed me this could grow into something bigger.”
Beyond the technical skills required to restore grimy grills to their bright-and-shiny best, Hanson has also developed an ability to manage his time, communicate clearly, and build trust with people he’s meeting for the first time: “I’ve learned how to make things easy for customers.”
@flamefreshtx | 512.806.1380
Colton Zahn and Grayson Wehmeyer: Drip Junkies
When 17-year-olds Colton Zahn and Grayson Wehmeyer started seeing social media posts seeking trash hauling and junk removal, they recognized an opportunity. With access to a truck and trailer, they figured they could build a business of their own—and Drip Junkies was born.
Their first big job quickly tested that confidence. What sounded manageable became more than they bargained for: a multi-day project that included demolishing a shed and clearing debris across a sprawling property. By day two, the teens realized they had wildly underestimated the scope, but now they look back on the challenge as a valuable—and amusing—learning experience. “The most memorable part was definitely taking down the shed with a sledge hammer,” they laugh.
They adjusted, recalibrated, and kept going. Within a few weeks, Zahn and Wehmeyer had doubled their workload. Today, Drip Junkies handles everything from full garage cleanouts to hauling off furniture, car parts, trash … “pretty much anything you can think of.”
Running the business has reinforced the value of honest, hard work: “We have learned that a little elbow grease, respect, and good communication can get you a lot further than any book smarts,” they say.
For the two recent DSHS graduates, building Drip Junkies together has been as rewarding as the work itself. “My favorite part of running my own business is getting to do it with a close friend,” says Zahn. They also appreciate the Dripping Springs community, which generally finds them through social media. “Our business relies on the people around us,” they share, “and we are very lucky to be in such an amazing place.”
DripJunkies.com | 512.619.1379
Sam Davis and Jack Bogan: DS Yard and Wash
Looking to make some extra money and build a reputation, rising DSHS sophomores Sam Davis and Jack Bogan started with a pressure washing business. When demand was slow, they expanded into yard work and quickly found their footing.
Now, the two friends can often be spotted cruising through their neighborhood in a golf cart filled with rakes, shovels, and other tools, ready to tackle a wide range of outdoor jobs. DS Yard and Wash offers everything from mowing, weeding, and mulching to pressure washing surfaces and trash cans.
Like any new venture, the work has come with a learning curve. Davis recalls their first mulching job, which ended up being much bigger than they had expected. After three days of grueling work under a hot sun, the larger lesson was clear: “That job taught me how good it feels when hard work pays off,” he says. “Even though it was one of the most challenging jobs I have done, it taught me perseverance and determination.”
As the business grows, Davis and Bogan have learned much more than how to mow a lawn; they’ve gained the real-life experience of planning ahead, managing schedules, communicating with customers, and figuring it out on their own.
While earning some spending money is a clear benefit, it’s not the main takeaway. The deeper satisfaction comes from finishing what they start. Looking back at a particularly long day, Davis remembers, “I didn’t feel good during my last job, but I knew I had to finish it. And once I did, it felt really rewarding.”
@ds_yardandwash | 512.541.5681