Student entrepreneur Caiden Mireles scrubs his way to success one window at a time. /COURTESY 

Most high school seniors are focused on college applications, school dances, and graduation. But not Caiden Mireles. While his classmates stress over what to buy for prom and what college to apply to, Caiden is busy scaling a business, one window at a time. Seventeen-year-old Mireles is the founder of an exterior window cleaning service called “Raptor Rinse” that swiftly dominates in the local community, proving that age is just a number when it comes to entrepreneurial spirit.

Mireles's journey began with a simple realization: the traditional student life wasn’t cutting it. “I chose to be a student entrepreneur because it gave me more free time, a chance to make more money, and helped me gain better social and real-life skills,” Mireles said. “Plus, I get to connect with a lot of successful people that you wouldn’t usually meet at a regular job."

Tired of unchangeable schedules and the limited income of typical part-time jobs, Mireles searched for an opportunity that offered flexibility, financial rewards, and real-world experience.

The idea for Raptor Rinse originated during a casual conversation with a family friend who expressed the difficulty of cleaning windows or finding a reliable window cleaner. Spotting an opportunity, Mirlels dove headfirst into the market research, identifying a clear demand for professional and affordable exterior window cleaning services. “I started by planning the business layout, including the name, logo, services, and sales pitch,” Mireles said. “Then, I acquired the necessary equipment and immediately began knocking on doors to find clients.”

The initial days were a mixture of trial and error. Armed with squeegees, buckets, and a carefully crafted sales pitch, Mireles traversed neighborhoods, introducing Raptor Rinse to potential clients. It wasn’t always easy. Rejection was common, and balancing schoolwork with business demands proved challenging. But Mirleles' determination did nor waver.

“I remember when Caiden first talked to me about the idea,” said classmate Elijah Keliihoomalu. "I thought it was a little crazy. But seeing how dedicated Caiden is, I knew it would work.”

Word of mouth spread quickly, and Raptor Rinse gained a reputation for quality service and exceptional customer care. Mirele's commitment to professionalism set the business apart. He always arrived on time, dressed neatly, and treated every client with respect. As the client base grew, Mireles hired a small team of friends, providing them with valuable work experience and a chance to earn extra income.

“Working for Caiden has been awesome,” said employee Holden Eastman. “I'm learning so much about running a business, and it’s way more rewarding working with friends than working with people I don’t like.”

The success has opened doors for Mireles, providing opportunities to network with local business leaders and gain invaluable mentorship. Through these connections, Mireles has learned about marketing, finance, and leadership, skills that will undoubtedly serve him well in future jobs and endeavors. 

“It’s interesting to see someone in our grade take the time to create something from scratch,” said another student, Landyn Johnson, an employee of Raptor Rinse. "Caiden's success proves that anything is possible if you work hard and are determined to do it.”

As graduation season approaches, Mireles is faced with a big decision: to pursue higher education or focus completely on growing Raptor Rinse. While the idea of college is tempting, Mireles is also excited about the prospect of expanding the business and exploring new opportunities. Whatever path he chooses, one thing is certain: Mireles said he feels like he is a force to be reckoned with, a shining example of the power of youth entrepreneurship. The owner of Raptor Rinses's story serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs everywhere, proving that with passion, perseverance, and a squeaky-clean vision, anything is possible.