Ashton Meyer, an 11-year-old from East Gwillimbury, Canada, has started a trash can cleaning service charging $10 per bin, gaining 40 clients and over 111,000 Instagram followers since May. He began the venture after school let out for summer, documenting his door-to-door efforts on Instagram and TikTok, as teens face the worst summer job market since 1948, according to fortune.com.
Meyer approaches neighbors offering to clean their garbage, green, and recycling bins, recording each interaction. Despite frequent rejections, he remains persistent, handing out his number with a smile and encouraging others to lower prices and accept rejection. His social media presence has helped him build a client base and attract attention, with plans to expand into leaf raking as the season changes, fortune.com reports.
This initiative highlights the challenges teens face in securing summer jobs amid a historically difficult market. Meyer's entrepreneurial approach contrasts with traditional teen jobs like ice cream shop shifts, which are now highly competitive. His story reflects a broader trend of youth creating their own opportunities through small businesses and social media engagement, as detailed by fortune.com.
Meyer’s Instagram account, Your Bin Cleaning, has surpassed 111,000 followers in just two months, demonstrating the appeal of his service and entrepreneurial spirit. His experience underscores the importance of resilience and adaptability for young people navigating the current labor market, according to fortune.com.