Winkler Entrepreneur Starts Third Company Before His 14th Birthday

A savvy 13-year-old Winkler entrepreneur has started his third business.

Seth Friesen's Prairie Recycling company continues to gain steam. The Owner/Operator has been approached by a number of businesses and local schools to partner on recycling strategies.

"We've had a lot of response from the community," Friesen says.

His newest endeavour, Seniors In Sync hopes to meet another need in the community.

"My classmates have always called me the "computer guy" so I've always been the one to talk to about computers," Friesen says. "And I figured I could help people out."

He recently held a presentation at the Winkler Senior Centre, offering his newest tech services to seniors.

Friesen also works with his grandfather, transferring older media formats like records and cassettes to digital.

Creating three companies before his 14th birthday, before receiving his driver's license, Friesen says owning a business is exciting.

"I think it's fun being in control of what you offer, how you offer it," he says. "It's fun going around meeting new people, helping them out with their computer, recycling, transferring the LPs, it's been fun."

While some may be surprised at his resume at 13, he says you are never too young (or too old) to start something new.

"Just give it a try, see if it works," he says. "Never give up, you have to keep trying even if it isn't working at first."

However, running a business isn't just fun and games, the grade eight student at Parkland Elementary says he keeps on top of school work but isn't afraid to make sacrifice a weekend.

"I always get the stuff I need to get done first," he says. "That way it all balances out."

Teacher Joel Swann has been a proud supporter of Friesen's initiative.

"Not every grade eight student is willing to go out there and say, "hey this needs to be done, let's start recycling this," and he will look for the kinds of things that need to be collected... they're not going to sit in a landfill, he's going to find a way."

The businesses have started simply but continued to grow as Friesen finds new partners and innovations.

From Friesen's professional logos, presentations, customer relations, and marketing materials, Swann says it's obvious Seth takes business seriously.

"He's certainly someone to keep an eye on," he says. "To see where he ends up and how we can continue to support the initiatives he's going to bring to the world."