Entrepreneurship Spotlight: Luke Yost — Building a Business, One House at a Time
At Innovate Academy, entrepreneurship isn’t a theory—it’s a lived experience. Through programs like Boss Club™ and our flexible, collaborative model, scholars learn how ideas become action and how service becomes opportunity. We encourage partnerships beyond our campus so students can develop practical skills while engaging with real communities.
For Luke Yost— recipient of Innovate Academy’s Entrepreneur of the Year award—that journey led to a power-washing business, real customers, and lessons no classroom alone could teach.
From Boss Club™ to Business Owner
Luke’s entrepreneurial spark began in 6th grade when he joined Innovate’s Boss Club™, mentored by Ryan Derfler. What started as a class project grew into a genuine venture.
“Boss Club™ sparked my interest in starting a power-washing business,” Luke said. “I invested in the equipment and learned how to actually run something on my own.”
With guidance from his mentor, Luke learned how to communicate professionally—writing emails, making phone calls, and talking with customers face-to-face. He also learned the financial side: setting unit prices, calculating expenses, and adjusting rates based on house size and job complexity.
“These were things I never would have thought about,” he shared. “I learned how to structure a business and plan ahead.”
Marketing in the Real World
Luke didn’t wait for customers to find him—he went out and found them.
He began posting weekly on a neighborhood community app, scheduling advertisements for his services. The response surprised him.
“I got a good amount of customers just from those posts,” he said.
One early job in a senior living development led to additional opportunities. A customer suggested placing a flyer at their community center, and referrals began to increase. Luke also advertised at Innovate events, turning school connections into real clients.
In class, he explored modern tools such as AI for building websites and learned how technology can support a small business.
A Family Investment
Luke’s biggest supporter was close to home, though.
“My mom wanted to get me out of the house because I played video games too much,” he laughed. She believed in his idea enough to loan him money for the power-washing machine—an investment he later paid back in full.
Watching his mother run her own psychology practice also shaped his vision. “She’s my self-employed business role model,” Luke said. “Seeing her do it made me think I could too.”
Faith, Flexibility & Character
Innovate’s Flexible Friday model helped Luke balance academics, sports, and entrepreneurship. He could keep up with school while meeting customers and growing his business—an example of how Innovate’s personalized approach and collaboration with parents prepare scholars for real life.
For Luke, business is not just about profit; it’s about character. He wants to treat customers honestly, communicate clearly, and serve people well—allowing his faith to shape the way he works.
Becoming a Culture Maker
Luke’s story shows what happens when a school trusts students with real responsibility. From creating ads to pricing jobs to using AI tools, he has discovered that entrepreneurship is about problem-solving, perseverance, and people.
At Innovate Academy, we want every scholar to leave with that same confidence—the belief that they can create value, serve their community, and honor God through meaningful work.
We can’t wait to see where Luke’s next idea leads.
