Owasso 13-Year-Old Pays It Forward After Community’s Generosity Kickstarts His Business

An Owasso 13-year-old started his own business, thanks in part to family, friends and complete strangers who wanted to do something good.

"Three reasons why you should get me a power washer," Matthew says in a video posted online by his mother. 

13-year-old Matthew Carrubba created a PowerPoint presentation asking his mom for a loan to help him buy power washing gear to start a business.

"Reason number one," Matthew says, "the first thing I will prioritize is paying you back in full price."

Matthew said he got the idea from TikTok and figured he could make some good money.

"He is serious!" said Matthew's mom, Ashley Goodman. 

"Not many 13-year-olds would want to start a business," said Matthew. 

Mathew is not like many 13-year-olds. His mother put the video of his presentation on Facebook and people started giving.

"He had no idea up until it was finally bought. I had to keep it a secret until I had everything ordered and then he came home from school," said Goodman.

All the equipment he uses came from family, friends, and complete strangers who raised more than $600 - allowing Matthew to start his business.

His mom had all his gear waiting for him in the front yard. He built a work wagon, put all his gear together and learned how to power wash.

"None of this came out of my pocket or my mom's. It came from our Facebook followers. They gave to me, so I am going to give back," said Matthew, "I take $2 out of the money I get from each job and put it towards a charity or a food bank."

He named his business Pay It Forward Power Washing, in honor of all the people who made his dream possible.

"I clean driveways, sidewalks, cars, RVs, boats, decks," said Matthew. 

"It is rewarding just to watch them grow up and think, 'Oh okay! We are going to be good kids, cool! I am proud of you,’" said Goodman.

You can support Matthew’s power washing business here.