193. How He Turned $500 Into a $100K Business Before 19

Jun 30, 2025

Zech Osburn, an inspiring young entrepreneur, founded Z Exteriors and transformed a $500 investment into a six-figure business before turning 19. He shares how he leveraged local marketing strategies, such as door hangers and Facebook, to attract his first customers. Zech emphasizes the importance of reinvesting profits for rapid growth and offers practical advice on starting a home service business, urging youth to consider blue-collar careers over traditional college paths. His journey is a testament to creativity and strategic planning in entrepreneurship.

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ANECDOTE

From $500 to $100K Business

Zech moved out at 18 with no financial support and little money in the bank.
Within eight months, he built a $100,000 business from a $500 pressure washer and his phone.

ANECDOTE

Early Entrepreneurial Spark

Zech started entrepreneurial ventures in sixth grade, flipping fidget spinners at school.
He realized early he could make money independently without a traditional job.

ANECDOTE

Dropping Out to Dive In

Zech struggled with school attendance and dropped classes to focus on business.
He moved out just after turning 18, motivated to build his business without safety nets.

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Zech Osburn decided the traditional college path wasn't for him and instead, chose the path of entrepreneurship to build something of his own. At just 18 years old, he turned a simple lawn care and power washing side hustle into a thriving six-figure business in only eight months. It’s a story that proves with a clear vision and a strong business mindset, you don’t need a huge budget to achieve incredible business growth.

So, how did he accomplish this so quickly? This amazing journey wasn't just luck; it was fueled by a smart strategy for business scaling. In this conversation with Ryan Atkinson and Zech shares the playbook behind his success, from his clever, low-cost marketing techniques to his simple philosophy of consistently reinvesting profits. If you're looking for an inspiring and practical guide to starting and scaling your own home service business, you'll love hearing Zech's story!

- Fund Equipment with Customer Deposits: Use deposits from new jobs to buy the necessary tools without upfront capital.

- Start with Friends & Family: Provide free services to your inner circle first to build a portfolio and gain experience.

- Leverage Local, Free Marketing: Attract your first customers without a budget by using platforms like Facebook with a compelling personal story.

- Use Door Hangers for Guaranteed Leads: A door hanger campaign with a QR code and a discount can generate a consistent 2-3% lead conversion rate.

- Aggressively Reinvest in Growth: Fuel rapid scaling by putting profits back into advertising and better equipment rather than taking it as income.

- Meticulously Track Your Finances: Keep profit margins high by tracking every expense, allowing you to identify and fix financial leaks quickly.

- Don't Fear Spending on Marketing: Your advertising budget is a crucial investment and a direct driver of revenue growth.

- Discipline is a Competitive Advantage: Apply the mental toughness learned from other pursuits, like sports, to overcome entrepreneurial challenges.

- "Buy Once, Cry Once": Invest in quality equipment from the start to save money and time on future repairs and replacements.

- Hire Strangers Over Friends: To maintain a professional dynamic and avoid complications, it's often better to hire strangers.

Tags: Business Growth, Entrepreneurship, Business Mindset, Lawn Care, Side Hustle, Business Scaling

Resources:

Start Your Business Today: https://links.upflip.com/45NZT3e
Connect with Zech : https://www.instagram.com/zechshustle/?hl=en