Launch - Winter 2007 - (Page 32)

One of the things that YEA taught me was that my first business wasn’t going to be my last. It is an iterative process. Launch: Why did you decide to start your own business at such a young age? Clayton Jenkins: The idea came from wanting to work for myself. I got a job flipping burgers at Arctic Circle and got tired of doing that very quickly — I knew then that I wanted to start and run something of my own. I’ve always been interested in marketing and my marketing teacher at school told me about YEA (Young Entrepreneurs of America). I applied for YEA’s Summer Startup program and was accepted. I then brainstormed a lot about what kind of company I could start and automobile detailing made a lot of sense. Launch: What services does Premium Steam offer? CJ: We mainly steam clean and detail car interiors, but also do exterior waxing and detailing. I have two employees now and occasionally bring in others as needed. Launch: Why do you think you have what it takes to run a business now? CJ: One of the things that YEA taught me was that my first business wasn’t going to be my last. It is an iterative process. I’ve always been creative and have held previous leadership positions at school. More than just leadership skills, I have the determination to get things done, which I think is very important. Launch: How much did it cost to get started? CJ: My steamer lease is $100 a month so I was able to get the company started with just $100. From day one, we just went out and started cleaning cars. Launch: How do you market the company? CJ: Mostly through word-of-mouth and grassroots techniques. We do other things like help with parades and community activities. On slow days, we’ll go to a neighbor and offer to clean their car for half price – anything to get work. We do such a good job, the people get on the phone and call all their relatives so that half-price job often turns into five new jobs. Launch: We hear some of your classmates now ask you for advice on starting their own companies? CJ: It happens all the time. They ask me how to get their T-shirts made and get other marketing materials started. I end up brainstorming about ideas together with friends and we’ve come up with some good ideas we may start together next summer. Launch: What do you plan to do after high school? CJ: I’m going to Utah State University and majoring in USU’s new entrepreneurship program and plan to also minor in Marketing Management. I plan on starting a business in Logan soon after moving to the city, but I’m not sure what yet. I need to see what the local market is like. Launch: How has the YEA helped you? CJ: I learned a lot of the basics involved with how to evaluate and identify good ideas and how to get them started. Working with other people who have started companies has really helped. Many people associated with YEA have great experience and advice. Launch: Where do you see yourself in 20 years? Do you always want to run your own business? CJ: Definitely. I want to work always for myself if possible. I think I’d like to end up with some kind of high-tech company. $ Click here for the HTML version of this article on launchutah.com. 32 launch winter http://www.launchutah.com/article-spotlight2-q42007.php http://www.launchutah.com/article-spotlight2-q42007.php

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Launch - Winter 2007

Launch - Winter 2007 Contents Editor's Note Dashboard Mentor Column Funding Column Diary Column Sales Column Feature: Moving Forward: College Business Competitions Turn Ideas Into Reality Cover Story: Are Awards Worth the Effort? Company and CEO Awards: Contributing to the Bottom Line or Just Feeding Egos? Entrepreneur Spotlight: Benoy Tamang - Hooksell Entrepreneur Spotlight: Clayton Jenkins - Premium Steam

Launch - Winter 2007

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