Biography of Jake Piekarski: Founder & CEO of Snow Scholars -Entrepreneur
Biography of Jake Piekarski:
Snow
Scholars: A Student-Driven Solution to Snow Removal
Jake Piekarski, a student at the University of
Wisconsin-Madison, saw an opportunity to solve two major problems in his
community: the lack of reliable snow removal services and the need for
flexible, well-paying jobs for college students. This led to the birth of Snow
Scholars, a business that connects homeowners in need of snow removal with
college students looking for part-time work. The idea emerged in the fall of
2022 when Jake noticed a rise in negative reviews about snow removal companies
and realized that many students were struggling to find high-paying jobs that
worked around their academic schedules.
The Birth of
Snow Scholars
Snow Scholars began with Jake going door-to-door in Madison
offering snow removal services, realizing that there was a real demand for
reliable, flexible, and affordable snow removal. It wasn’t long before he
realized that this could be turned into a business, especially since many
college students had trouble finding jobs that worked around their class
schedules. The idea was simple: hire students to clear snow, provide homeowners
with dependable service, and offer students the flexibility to earn money while
still prioritizing their education.
A Winter
Service With A Purpose
Snow Scholars offers snow removal services to homeowners
during the winter months, but the business is different from traditional snow
removal companies. Instead of using plows, Snow Scholars uses shovels and
blowers, ensuring a more precise and consistent service. By offering
full-season or vacation snow removal plans, the company guarantees that
homeowners are taken care of no matter how much snow falls. The service is
designed to make snow removal more accessible for students who need to earn
extra income while providing homeowners with a reliable solution.
Scaling the
Idea
Snow Scholars didn’t just stay in Madison. The business
rapidly expanded to several college campuses across the Midwest and East Coast,
including the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, University of Minnesota-Twin
Cities, University of Minnesota-Duluth, Western Michigan University, and
Michigan State University. The company’s growth was driven by its solid
business model, which benefited both students and homeowners. Jake’s leadership
helped push the business forward, and it became an increasingly recognized name
in college town snow removal.
Snow Scholars
on Shark Tank
In a major milestone for the business, Snow Scholars was
featured on Shark Tank USA in season 16, where Jake pitched the business idea
to potential investors. The pitch was successful, and the company raised
$150,000 for 20% equity in the business. This was a game-changer for Snow
Scholars, as it gave the business more visibility, credibility, and resources
to continue growing and expanding across the country.
Empowering
College Students
The primary mission of Snow Scholars is to provide flexible,
high-paying jobs for college students. By hiring hundreds of students, the
company offers one of the best-paying jobs on college campuses. Students
working for Snow Scholars are able to earn money for tuition and living
expenses while also maintaining a flexible schedule that doesn’t interfere with
their academics. The jobs also provide students with valuable work experience,
including customer service, time management, and business operations skills.
Biography of Jake Piekarski: Founder & CEO of Snow Scholars -Entrepreneur#startup#age#net worth#investor#snow removal and student job needs#Jake Pieka
A Reliable
Workforce
One of the key factors behind the success of Snow Scholars
is the carefully vetted workforce. Students who apply for snow removal
positions must go through a detailed application and interview process. The
company evaluates candidates based on past experience, attention to detail, and
their ability to follow instructions. This ensures that only the most reliable
and dedicated students are hired to carry out snow removal tasks, which helps
maintain high service standards.
Affordable
and Transparent Pricing
Snow Scholars offers two types of snow removal plans:
full-season and vacation plans. Full-season plans offer a significant discount,
with savings of up to 30%, while vacation plans are billed per snowfall. The
pricing is designed to be affordable for homeowners, and the company ensures
that there are no hidden fees or surprises. Homeowners are notified via email
about when snow removal will take place, and the company guarantees that snow
will be cleared within a set period of time after a storm ends.
Efficient
Service Delivery
Snow Scholars’ service is built around efficiency. During
regular snowfall, the company aims to clear snow from customers' driveways and
sidewalks within six hours of the snow stopping. In the case of severe storms,
the service is typically completed within 24 hours. This ensures that
homeowners always have access to prompt service, and that the students working
for Snow Scholars are able to clear large areas quickly and effectively.
Safety and
Attention to Detail
The safety of both the workers and the homeowners’ property
is a top priority at Snow Scholars. Workers are trained to handle ice
effectively using salt and sand, but they avoid using ice picks that could
potentially damage surfaces. Snow Scholars prides itself on offering snow
removal that is not only thorough but also safe and considerate of property
integrity. The company’s attention to detail helps it build trust with
customers, who rely on the service for their safety and convenience.
Expanding
Nationwide
As Snow Scholars continues to grow, the company is expanding
its reach across more college campuses in the U.S. The goal is to become a
trusted name in the snow removal industry while providing meaningful job
opportunities for students across the country. Jake’s vision is to offer a
scalable and sustainable solution that meets the needs of both homeowners and
students, all while contributing positively to the communities Snow Scholars
serves.
Innovating
with Technology
In addition to the snow removal service, Snow Scholars is
also working on enhancing its operations through technology. The company is
developing software that will allow it to track workers in real time,
increasing efficiency and improving the customer experience. This innovation
will help Snow Scholars stay competitive in an increasingly tech-driven world
while ensuring that its workforce operates in the most effective and efficient
manner possible.
Creating
Lasting Impact
The business model behind Snow Scholars is not just about
snow removal; it’s about creating lasting impact in communities. By providing
students with flexible job opportunities and offering homeowners a reliable
service, Snow Scholars plays a role in making communities stronger. The
company’s focus on building trust, improving service quality, and supporting
student workers helps it stand out as a business that is committed to both
financial success and social good.
A Vision for
the Future
Looking forward, Snow Scholars is focused on growth and
sustainability. The company aims to expand to even more campuses across the
U.S., bringing its services to more students and homeowners in need of snow
removal. With Jake’s leadership, the backing from investors, and a dedicated
workforce, Snow Scholars is on track to become a household name in snow removal
while continuing to support students and their financial needs. The vision for
the future is clear: to shovel student debt, one inch at a time.
Timeline for story
Fall 2022 – Jake Piekarski founds Snow Scholars to address
snow removal and student job needs.
2022 – Starts door-to-door snow removal in Madison,
realizing demand for reliable service.
2022 – Expands Snow Scholars to several college campuses
across the Midwest and East Coast.
2025 – Appears on Shark Tank USA and raises $150,000 for 20%
equity.
2025 – Expands nationwide, with a focus on student jobs and
community impact.
2025 – Develops software to enhance operations and improve
service delivery.
