A middle school student from Billings is taking a fundraiser and turning it into a business. He spent the summer detailing cars to raise money for a school trip and noticed a demand in the community.
The trip is scheduled for the spring of 2025 and is typically offered to eighth graders in the city each year.
Liam McDermott, an eighth grader at Lewis and Clark, has always had a desire to visit Washington, D.C. He expressed, “I wanted to go on the D.C. trip to explore new things. I’ve never flown without my parents before, so I thought it would be pretty cool.”
Although Liam was eager to join the excursion, the trip comes with a high cost. His parents advised him to contribute financially, prompting him to come up with a way to earn money for it.
Seeing that his father often detailed cars for friends and family, Liam realized the potential business opportunity. He was surprised by the professional rates in the city and decided to offer his services at a more affordable price.
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Throughout the summer, Liam dedicated his time to detailing cars with the goal of raising half of the trip’s $2,000 cost. His mother, Amber McDermott, commended his hard work, stating, “He has really shown me what a hard worker he is. He reached his goal in just two months.”
Amber admitted that she had reservations about Liam reaching his target, emphasizing the importance of him earning the trip through his efforts.
After surpassing his initial goal and witnessing the demand for his services, Liam decided to continue detailing cars. His unexpected success surprised his family.
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Reflecting on the growth of his business, Liam expressed his intentions to continue detailing cars every summer, recognizing the opportunity to make money and meet the community’s needs.
“Detailing cars can be quite profitable, and there’s always a demand for it,” Liam remarked.
Amber, his mother, couldn’t be prouder of her son’s dedication and work ethic. She stated, “I struggle to get him to clean his room, but seeing him focused on something for hours at a time is truly impressive.”
