From season to season, junior Sebastian Maestoso offers a variety of services to assist people with what seem to be daunting tasks. He provides pressure washing for outdoor furniture, vinyl fences, and garbage cans, as well as snow removal. While his business, Waste Solutions PW, started as a summer side hustle in 2024 to make some extra money, Maestoso has enjoyed watching his business grow, learning how to run a business and seeing his customers satisfied.
“Once I started my business, I learned many things as I went on,” Maestoso said. “I learned how a business is run and how people will call back if your work is done professionally. I also learned how to manage and save my money so I can upgrade my equipment.”
He charges $15 per garbage can, varying from $100 to $250 for vinyl fences and $100 to $250 for snow removal. For snow removal, he clears the driveway, front steps, walkway, back walkway and sidewalks.
To market his business, he constantly posts pictures and videos of himself showcasing the different jobs he offers on Instagram and Facebook. He also hands out business cards and flyers, and even goes door-to-door. He also credits the people of the surrounding West Essex towns for his success.
“Many people left nice reviews about me in Facebook groups, and people started to see that,” Maestoso said. “Social media played a big role in the success of my business, but I want to grow even more from here.”
He has his phone number posted on his social media and has made shirts for his customers to help spread the word. Maestoso does most of the jobs in the summer and spring, when the weather is nicer. During this time, he also plays lacrosse. He said a busier schedule makes it a little hard to balance his business with school activities.
In the future, Maestoso hopes to build a large clientele and grow his business as much as possible. He eventually wants to form an LLC for his business and hire people to help him.
Maestoso encourages others to start their own business and watch it take off, but he does not discredit the work it took him to get to this point.
“If you’re trying to start your own business, the best advice I can give is to put in the work and grind,” Maestoso said. “Finding time to do something you enjoy can lead you in the right direction. Watch videos, learn and try new things to see what you like. A small business like mine was able to take off, and I was able to turn an idea into reality.”
You can find him on Instagram @waste_solutionspressurewash.
