Northeast Ohio Teens Turn Ninth-Grade Business Into Success and Pledge Profits to Children's Hospital

MEDINA, OHIO — Most high school freshmen spend their afternoons on sports fields or playing video games, but Cameron Muslusky and his business partner spent theirs on bicycles, carrying squeegees and window cleaner through local neighborhoods. It was not just a hobby for the two ninth-graders who were too young for traditional retail jobs. It was the birth of KDM Outdoor Services. The early days of the business were defined by a steep learning curve and constant movement. According to Muslusky, the duo would ride their bikes to the nearest store to stock up on supplies before going door to door to ask neighbors for work. As the business grew, so did the logistical challenges of being a full-time student while managing a burgeoning client list. During the school year, the founders followed a grueling schedule that began at 7 a.m. in the classroom and ended long after sundown in a client’s yard. They often found themselves excusing themselves from class to handle customer calls as their phones buzzed throughout the day. Balancing those academic requirements with eight hours of landscaping and quoting was a challenge they eventually grew to love. Now that the founders are 18 and graduating, the company is transitioning into a fully licensed and insured operation. The growth has been steady, moving from neighborhood foot traffic to a service area that now spans five counties, including Medina, Cuyahoga, Lorain, Wayne and Summit. What started as window washing has expanded into a comprehensive suite of services such as lawn maintenance, mulching, gutter cleaning and custom landscaping. To date, the company has serviced more than 300 clients across Northeast Ohio. One particular job on Father’s Day reinforced the company’s mission for the young owners. While many competitors turned down a small weeding project for a resident with physical limitations, KDM took the job despite it being a holiday. Muslusky noted that the client had been frustrated by other companies that found the work too minor or too expensive. Those moments of helping the community drive the pair to stay local as they expand into commercial contracts and winter snow plowing. The company is also formalizing its commitment to the region through a new philanthropic initiative. They have pledged to donate 5% of their annual profits to University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital to support families facing childhood cancer. Muslusky described the donation as a way to ensure that as the business grows, the community grows with it. Residents interested in residential or commercial services can contact KDM Outdoor Services (https://kdmoutdoorservices.com) for their summer maintenance needs as the founders move into full-time operations. -------------------- At Cleveland 13 News, we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable reporting. If you spot an error, omission, or have information that may need updating, please email us at tips@cleveland13news.com. As a community-driven news network, we appreciate the help of our readers in ensuring the integrity of our reporting.