2008 Woodie Awards
Student Runts Successful Business
Caroline Vallila
Issue date: 3/31/08 Section: Features
While most 19-year-olds are still contemplating what they want to do in life, John Zelenka has already started his own business and is watching it flourish.
"I wanted to be my own boss and do something that I enjoyed," said Zelenka. "So, I started my own landscaping business and named it JLS, short for John's Landscaping Service."
Zelenka, a full-time sophomore at William Paterson University, is majoring in business management. He credits his knowledge of landscaping to his 30-year-old brother, Mike, who owns his own tree removal company.
"I worked for my brother since I was 12. The older I got, the more responsibilities he gave me and I learned how to take down trees as tall as 95 feet," Zelenka said.
Don't be fooled by the name however, JLS is not only for landscaping purposes.
"I do everything from landscaping, to gutter cleaning, to snow removal. I have a job for every season!" Zelenka laughed.
It has been just one year since Zelenka started JLS, and already he has more than 30 loyal customers.
"I hand out about 100 flyers a month, so I am constantly receiving phone calls from new customers," Zelenka said. "Also, I recently bought a plow, so I now receive calls from companies to snow plow parking lots."
Even with a business to run, Zelenka still finds time for school.
"I take all my classes on Mondays and Wednesdays, so that I have the rest of the week to work. I know that my education is most important and I am looking forward to graduating with a bachelor's degree in business management," Zelenka said. "In the meantime, I'm getting a head start with my own business!"
"I wanted to be my own boss and do something that I enjoyed," said Zelenka. "So, I started my own landscaping business and named it JLS, short for John's Landscaping Service."
Zelenka, a full-time sophomore at William Paterson University, is majoring in business management. He credits his knowledge of landscaping to his 30-year-old brother, Mike, who owns his own tree removal company.
"I worked for my brother since I was 12. The older I got, the more responsibilities he gave me and I learned how to take down trees as tall as 95 feet," Zelenka said.
Don't be fooled by the name however, JLS is not only for landscaping purposes.
"I do everything from landscaping, to gutter cleaning, to snow removal. I have a job for every season!" Zelenka laughed.
It has been just one year since Zelenka started JLS, and already he has more than 30 loyal customers.
"I hand out about 100 flyers a month, so I am constantly receiving phone calls from new customers," Zelenka said. "Also, I recently bought a plow, so I now receive calls from companies to snow plow parking lots."
Even with a business to run, Zelenka still finds time for school.
"I take all my classes on Mondays and Wednesdays, so that I have the rest of the week to work. I know that my education is most important and I am looking forward to graduating with a bachelor's degree in business management," Zelenka said. "In the meantime, I'm getting a head start with my own business!"
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