What inspired you to start a business?
Grayden: I have never wanted to work for someone, so I knew it would be best if I started a business. So Tyce and I looked around and came up with some of the best services and ways we could perfect them. Another big thing was being low on cash and just sitting around being lazy.
Tyce: I’ve always been entrepreneurial-minded, and at first, I wanted to start a business because I was constantly looking for ways to make money. Eventually, I found that I enjoyed providing people with our services. I was also inspired by my dad and his ability to start businesses and succeed.
Talk about the beginning, how did everything start? How did you start to build business? How did you know that you were doing well? What came first—cars or windows?
Tyce: Grayden and I met at the beginning of 7th grade, and as we got to know each other, we learned that we both shared a desire to succeed. We both had entrepreneurial minds. We started offering pressure washing only. We put up hundreds of flyers and got nowhere. A few months later, while we were in California, Grayden got a text from a customer asking if we were interested in cleaning windows. We agreed and obtained all the necessary equipment. Then, we completed the job. It was so rewarding making some money in a small amount of time and making our customers so proud and satisfied. From then on, we decided keep doing windows. Our first symbol of success was getting to do a three million dollar house for the founder of Fairlife (the milk and protein company). It was so cool getting the opportunity, knowing he reached out to us. We stick to windows and car detailing now.
Was this business more to meet a need you saw in your community or because this was something you loved to do?
Grayden: We were looking for some ways to make some money and learn skill sets that we could use as we got older. When we started getting jobs more consistently all of our clients would compliment our work, they said awesome things. That helps keep us going.
What has been the hardest part of running a business?
Grayden: Staying focused and not going off and doing other things. Finding new ways to put ourselves out there and continue to grow.
Tyce: The hardest part of running a business is being consistent and making sure we do what needs to be done. Also, sacrificing parts of our childhood and working at a young age.
Do you get judged based on your age? What would you say to those who think teenagers can’t have a business?
Grayden: When we started, without any reviews to back us up, it was pretty hard. The other kids in our grade used to think it wouldn’t last. Now, they have seen our success and they don’t think it’s a joke anymore. With our success, we have started to see a lot more young, service business owners pop up around our area.
Tyce: I’d say especially when we were starting, people our age didn’t understand and thought it was funny or weird. Now that a lot of our peers have seen our success, I would say a lot of them respect our business a lot more. I’d also say that some people don’t trust us since we are kids and go with other companies.
Outside of business, what other hobbies do you have?
Grayden: I usually ride my bike with my friends. I love going on trips and exploring new places, as well as boxing.
Tyce: I spend most of my time hanging out with friends. I'm very big into cars and bikes. I also love golfing, playing football, and going to the gym.
What is something you wish more people knew?
Grayden: I just wish some people would trust a teenager running a business. When we first started it was really hard for us to get jobs without all of our recommendations and reviews backing our work.
Tyce: A lot of people have this misconception that this business is pushed on us by our parents or that our parents own the company and we work for them. Neither is true. Grayden and I were the ones who came up with the idea and wanted to start a business. We do all the work from washing windows to building our website. Our parents are the biggest supports and without their help none of this would be possible. They help us as we pursue business ownership.
Tyce & Grayden
AZ Rapid Washers
This teenage duo has created a business that has provided fast, reliable, and high-quality services to our community. They specialize in pressure washing, window cleaning, and car detailing. AZ Rapid Washers started in 2023 and has continued to grow to this day. They are long past the days of flyers and getting nowhere when you find their perfect Google review rating online—5 stars, all around. You can learn more about their services and pricing at azrapidwashers.com. You'll also find that you can schedule your next service with AZ Rapid Washers through their website. It makes supporting our local teen entrepreneurs easy and hassle-free.
From Tyce & Grayden: As teen entrepreneurs, we started this company not just to earn money, but to learn the value of hard work, responsibility, and building something of our own. We take pride in delivering fast, reliable, and high-quality services to our community. Being young doesn’t stop us from running a professional business—we’re proving that with the right mindset, teens can be successful entrepreneurs too.
With our success, we have started to see a lot more young, service business owners pop up around our area.