Rynfield teens want a ‘squeaky clean’ reputation

“Get your head into reality with what you’re doing in life,” were the words of Rynfield resident Leo Grobler who got expelled from school in 2017 and is now encouraging the youth to use their time wisely.

Due to personal reasons, Grobler said after expulsion he tried to work wherever he could instead of attending another school, but he was not fully satisfied at work.

“I did not choose my subjects because I was expelled at the beginning of Grade Nine,” Grobler explained.

“So I did not really know what I wanted to do with my life, and then I had to start working, it was hard.”

With the support of his brother, JC van Dyk, and friend, William van Staden, the trio managed to start their own car wash business in August.

“We decided to call the car wash F1 Car Wash,” Leo said.

The two who attend Champions School in Benoni said they wanted to start something now because they would rather work when they do not need to, instead of searching for jobs after school.

“We decided to stop talking about business ideas and start our own,” JC explained.

The three walk to areas in Benoni offering their service.

“I do not drive,” Leo explained.

“So we walk from house to house, and street to street trying to get the attention of homeowners to ask if we can wash their cars.”

William said he may be 16 but his goal is to have a million rand in his bank account by 18.

“My dad suggested the idea of starting a car wash and our aim is to provide great quality service, but also to wash cars promptly.”

While JC and William are at school, Leo walks around looking for potential clients.

“Don’t waste your life while you are in school,” Leo said.

“It is not easy in the world.

“Decide what you want in life, focus on that goal and aim for it – do not waste your life.”

The trio is encouraging other children to join them in making some money, while building the business.

“Instead of staying at home over the weekend, join us in washing a few cars and make some money,” William said.
“To make money, you have to have money.”

Leo said if more youth join, they could work out together how payments would work, while saving and building the business.

All three teens reside in Rynfield but said once they walked 5km in Benoni just looking for anyone who wanted to wash their car.

“If we get a call to wash a car and it is not nearby, we do use Uber,” William explained.

“We take our detergents and walk to our jobs.”

Leo said he’d like to be a jack of all trades and open several businesses as he grows.

His partners JC and William said they would like to start their own real estate when they finish school and then also get involved in various other business opportunities.

For now though, the three are just walking around with their cleaning materials for cars, hoping to wash several cars a day, and have other children join them so that the more hands on deck, the more cars could be washed.

“We also give money or food to those in need with the money that we make,” Leo explained.

“Whatever money is made, we pay for more cleaning detergents, save some money and then look for homeless people to assist, or assist anyone in need who asks us for help.”

JC said the actions taken now will determine the outcome and consequences so the three of them have decided to make good decisions now, for positive results as they progress in life.

To join the three in washing cars or to know more about their services, Leo may be contacted on leogrobler22@gmail.com or 061 670 2507.

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