Snow Scholars builds relationships between students and the community

Owning an operating a successful business can be a challenge. One that 22-year-old owner of Snow Scholars Jake Piekarski has taken in stride.

“When I arrived at UW-Madison in late 2021, a lot of my friends did not have flexible jobs or high-paying jobs at all. And so, I created snow scholars to give them that opportunity to work around their school schedule and help homeowners at the same time,” said Piekarski.

Snow removal is an integral part of Duluth winters, and Snow Scholars’ ever-expanding business gives more students a chance to work to help pay for college and connect with the community.

“Since we started in late 2021, we have paid students more than $100,000 in student wages. And we’ve also done more than 3,000 snow removal jobs for about 1,000 customers in the lifetime of the business,” said Piekarski. “And it really makes an impact on the homeowners, especially because they are able to connect with students. So, we’re building a community. And for those who can’t do it themselves, they have an opportunity to connect with those students and get the help they need at a really affordable price, too.”

UMD freshman David Wolkerstorfer found Snow Scholars through his brother, finding a way to make money out of a for shoveling and the ability to help those who cannot shovel themselves.

“I mean, it mixes my two favorite loves in the winter, which is shoveling. And then also just working with the community and my neighbors around me. It’s just so great to see what you can do and the impact that you can have on a community, you know,” said Wolkerstorfer. “It means a lot to me that I get to go out and help my fellow members in the community, especially with, you know, my students and everything around me. It means a lot to me that we can go out and help people that maybe can’t show the snow themselves. And that, to me, is really big, which is why I choose to show for snow scholars.”

And as the success of Snow Scholars rises, its impact on the community does as well.

Snow Scholars’ Shark Tank episode will air on December 13th at 7PM. Click here to learn more about Snow Scholar’s business.