Teen entrepreneur paving way to college

NEWPORT – Summer boredom is not likely to settle on Matt Graham anytime soon.

The 13-year-old has no time for the seasonal affliction common with many children his age.

“I can’t stand being bored,” he said this week while minding the store at his mom’s Towne and Country Gift Shoppe in downtown Newport.

His mom, Paula Graham, had stepped out to run an errand. It’s a common occurrence – but only if it meets Matt’s schedule. “I have to be doing something,” he said.

That’s exactly what Mom wanted for him this summer – doing something productive.

Matt’s shopkeeping is sandwiched in among many entrepreneurial efforts. He runs his own car wash and wax service in downtown Newport. That’s when he’s not baby-sitting or delivering a local shopper’s guide, minding the store, managing the store’s new Beanie Baby account, racking up business for his window-washing service or practicing for the next basketball season.

Everything is by appointment – even working for Mom.

Matt’s car wash customers all work in the downtown area. At age 13, Matt isn’t yet able to provide pickup and delivery. Customers can drop off a vehicle for the day, providing time for wash, wax and an interior steam cleaning before they have to head home.

It’s all the same price, big or small, $15.”It’s hard to reach those big 4 by 4s,” he said. “I like the small ones where I can reach out over the top with one hand.”

“He did an excellent job,” said Ruth Hudson, an employee at Acheron Engineering on Main Street in Newport who had her car cleaned on Wednesday. “I was very pleased with his work.

“I think he’s learning a valuable lesson,” she added. “I think his parents are trying to show him if you do a good job and treat people courteously, it’s the way you make it in life.”

Paula Graham didn’t set out to create a tight schedule for Matt or his younger sister, but the mother was eager to see that Matt didn’t spend his summer in front of a television or video game console.

“He’s just full of energy,” Paula Graham said this week. “He’s always had an interest in business. We just wanted him to find something to do to see if he could make some money this summer.

“We had no idea it would be this popular,” she added.

Matt admits that if he weren’t so busy, a few days in front of the tube – a big screen at that – wouldn’t be hard to take.

“All my friends like to keep busy,” he said. “We can’t just sit around and talk.

“Besides I like earning money,” Matt said with a broad grin, explaining he hopes to help build his college fund. “It’s fun to work.

“I want to be a lawyer,” he explained.