11-Year-Old Cleans Trash Cans, Gains 100K Followers

Ashton Meyer, an 11-year-old from East Gwillimbury, Canada, has launched a successful trash bin cleaning service, earning $10 per household and gaining significant social media traction. Meyer began his venture in May, coinciding with the summer break, by going door-to-door offering to clean garbage, green, and recycling bins. He meticulously documents each interaction on Instagram and TikTok, which has contributed to his rapid rise in popularity.

In just two months, Meyer has acquired 40 clients and amassed over 111,000 followers across his social media platforms. He aspires to become an entrepreneur and plans to expand his services to include leaf raking as the seasons change. Meyer shared his entrepreneurial journey with Fortune, advising other young people seeking summer income to set competitive prices and to persevere through rejection, as he frequently experiences initial refusals from potential clients.

Meyer's approach involves offering his services with a positive attitude, even after being turned down, and providing his contact information for future needs. He emphasizes the importance of identifying unmet needs within the community and suggests various services like bin cleaning, weeding, or plant watering. Meyer also advises young entrepreneurs to offer reasonable prices, acknowledging that they are still in the learning phase of their business endeavors.

His initiative comes at a time when teenagers are facing one of the most challenging summer job markets in nearly 80 years, with many struggling to secure even entry-level positions. Meyer's success highlights an alternative path to earning income for young individuals, demonstrating that with creativity and determination, entrepreneurial opportunities can be created independently.