WATERVILLE — It’s not much to hold back Parker Redlevske, a precocious teenager and budding entrepreneur from Oakland.
He can obtain a license to open a store, order supplies, and oversee operations. Do not ask him to sign his FedEx delivery. At 14, he’s not old enough.
But age didn’t stop Parker from starting a tech repair business in May at the Elm Plaza shopping mall on Upper Main Street in Waterville near Interstate 95.
After attending a business boot camp with his stepfather in Florida, he used his own money to open the Techy franchise. The event featured Grant Cardone, a business owner, speaker and social media fixture.
Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Techy provides repairs for electronic devices such as smartphones, computers, tablets, game consoles, and other technology-related services.
Parker Redlevske, 14, right, dismantles an iPhone for a diagnostic check on Thursday at his Techy store location in Elm Plaza above Main Street in Waterville with his business partner Nick Rancourt. and. Michael G. Seamans
At the business boot camp, Parker was called on stage to ask entrepreneur and best-selling author Cardon what advice he would give young people.
Cardone gave Parker a goal of saving $10,000. The exchange was shared with his Cardone’s nearly 2.2 million followers on YouTube, and Techy’s owner reached out to his Parker to help open his own store.
Parker, stepfather John Irwin, and mother Amy Irwin all received training from Tecky. Before training, Parker mostly learned smartphone repair from his YouTube videos.
“When he came on stage, that is when i noticed him it wasn’t It just tricks you into taking things apart at home,” said John Irwin. “You made me realize He I want to learn and start a business. When Techy reached out his hand when all this happened, I felt compelled to do this. “
Parker Redlevske, 14, takes an iPhone apart Thursday at the Techy store that opened earlier this year in Elm Plaza above Main Street in Waterville. Michael G Seamans/Morning Sentinel
It costs $15,000 to license the Techy franchise. Parker provided the funding, and Tecky helped expand the store. The company owner flew in for the opening.
To save $15,000, Parker repaired smartphones, secured investors, and did marketing.
“It was tough,” he said, adding that his family was supportive.
John Irwin said Parker was involved in nearly every stage of the process, including meeting with landlords and lawyers.
Being self-employed, Parker doesn’t need a work permit and can work almost full time. Business is important to Parker, but his family makes sure his education is a priority by requiring him to be homeschooled for three hours each day during the school year.
His parents also make sure he takes time off.
“Leave him alone and he’ll probably sleep[on his Techy franchise],” Jon Irwin said with a laugh.
14-year-old Parker Redlevske laughs with business partner Nick Rancourt as he fixes electronics at Elm Plaza’s Techy store on Upper Street on Main Street in Waterville on Thursday. Michael G Seamans/Morning Sentinel
Parker attended school in Messalonskee, but dropped out at the end of eighth grade to be homeschooled. It allows him to pursue work and education at the same time. He says he listens to class while wearing earphones and fiddling with his smartphone in the back of the store. Suspends his studies to support customers when necessary. He is considering going back to public school part-time.
“I think I’ve found a pretty good balance[between school and work],” said Parker.
He said the store location, the location of previous Verizon stores, was “a good location and available exactly as we were looking for.”
Parker owns his own business before he’s old enough to drive, but like most kids his age, he enjoys hanging out with his friends. He said his friends “think it’s pretty cool” that he’s a business owner.
He played basketball, football and soccer. He has two sisters and one brother. Parker said one sister likes to help out at the store.
“Usually when you need to add help, You can get your mom to help you,” he said.
Parker’s parents have full-time jobs, so Parker does most of the work at the store, including repairing smartphones and other devices, running the sales floor, and supporting customers. However, he has the help of his business partner, Nick his Rancourt, who joined the operation early on.
Rancourt has over 25 years of experience in repairing devices. He said John Irwin asked him for help a few months ago, but Rancourt has a full-time job so he couldn’t commit. After watching, Rancourt decided to become a minority shareholder.
“I just jumped in and haven’t left,” Rancourt said. “We learn from each other. We complement each other.”
Parker focuses on smartphones and tablets, while Rancourt specializes in computers and game consoles. Parker’s abilities at a young age amaze Rancourt as he learns new things from a teenager.
“He Good boy. H.e’s He had a good head on his shoulders,” Rancourt said. “fact He opened this store pretty on He himself is an amazing feat.
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