Sixteen-year-old Chris Shvets of Niverville wears a lot of hats. Some know him as the proprietor of CS Multiwash. More recently, though, he’s also known as the third-place winner in the Steinbach Chamber Challenge.

The Steinbach Chamber Challenge is an annual competition designed to encourage and inspire young entrepreneurs and inventors. The competition, modelled after the TV show Dragon’s Den, invites middle and high school students to pitch a business idea, product, or service to a panel of Steinbach business leaders.

Shvets was among eight young entrepreneurs making this year’s pitch in the hope of winning one of three cash prizes ranging from $500 to $1,000.

This was Shvets’ second go at the challenge. While he didn’t come out on top last year for his shoe-cleaning business, he took away some key lessons.

Last year’s winners, he says, made strong presentations, including details about profit margins and revenues. With his mom’s help, he came prepared to do the same this year, and the extra work paid off.

But these young industrialists don’t just come for the prize money. It’s the personal advice they glean from the five judges.

The fact that CS Multiwash, a residential and commercial window washing company, is owned and managed by someone as young as Shvets isn’t outwardly evident. He comes with heavy-duty squeegees on extension wands that can reach up to 27 feet in the air and a $3,000 water purification system.

“The water purifier system connects to a nearby tap and sends out pure water, taking out all the minerals and stuff,” Shvets says proudly.

Like any savvy businessperson, he’s created a unique website and hands out professional-looking business cards. He offers discounts to first-time customers and leaves a thank-you gift with every client after a service is complete. His work is also backed by a five-day warranty.

In preparation for the busy season ahead, he’s hired a friend, Jordan Verrier, to serve as his operational assistant.

To advertise themselves, the duo make good use of social media and go door-to-door, introducing themselves to potential new clients.

“We knock on the door and if people say ‘No, we’re not interested,’ we say ‘We can just go around the property, count the windows, and give you a free quote.’”

It’s been an effective way to drum up business, Shvets says, especially when he can offer different pricing models to meet different budgets.

Shvets’ entrepreneurial spirit goes back as far as he can remember.

“Throughout my entire childhood, I’ve been [trying to earn money] with a garage sale, or things like that,” Shvets says. “I think it’s in my blood. My very first business was weed removal. I think I was about eight. I invested in a $30 weed puller. Then in the winter I did snow removal.”

Last year, Shvets started a new business called Chris Cleans Kicks, a shoe-cleaning service which he still pursues on the side.

Now, with his window-cleaning business, Shvets gets from job to job on a bike with a trailer behind it. He hopes to earn enough this summer to buy his first car.

Eventually, with the right kind of success, he imagines hiring a crew that he can send to more than one site at a time.

He adds that parental support has made a big impact. Shvets’ parents have always encouraged his drive and have been ready to provide short-term loans for equipment purchases.

Verrier is also encouraged by his mom’s support.

“The other week I was grounded because I didn’t get to school on time,” Verrier says. “I told her, ‘Mom, I have a job with Chris and I need to go do the job.’ She says, ‘Jordan, whenever you have a job with Chris, you’re not grounded for that.’ She’s very supportive of my work.”

As to why he’d rather be working than in his room gaming, Verrier responds with a wisdom that belies his years.

“When I get home from school, I don’t want to be on the TV or doomscrolling for hours. I want to get outside. Having this business with Chris has really helped me get out of the house more, doing the work and getting money for it. I love knocking on doors with my buddy, having good conversations with people, and building connections.”

Shvets will have another opportunity to enter the Steinbach Chamber Challenge next year, but he says he won’t. Instead he’ll make space for other young entrepreneurs.

“They gave me a chance and I really appreciate it, so I want that chance to go to other people too.”