From side hustle to successful startup
How two NDSU students went from squeegees and scrubbers to specialized drone cleaning and a growing business.
When lifelong friends Aidan Clarke and Logan Larson started knocking on doors to sell window cleaning services, they never imagined where the business would take them.
Just a few years later, the NDSU College of Business students have grown a simple weekend side hustle into Luxury Exteriors, a company that serves both residential and commercial clients with traditional exterior cleaning services and specialized drone cleaning technology.
“The idea came from just sparking ideas in the dorms,” Larson said
“We'd only been talking about it for a week or two,” Clarke added. “Then Saturday rolled around, so we grabbed a scrubber, a squeegee and a bottle of Dawn dish soap, knocked on doors, sold the first house we stopped at, and we were hooked.”
Innovation Takes Flight
Luxury Exteriors started by providing residential window cleaning, then expanded into pressure washing for homes, driveways, decks and roofs. But as the business expanded into larger commercial projects, the pair recognized a problem.
“We were getting bigger contracts, but that meant scaffolding, lifts and equipment that were expensive and dangerous,” Clarke said. “We saw a problem with how exterior cleaning is done traditionally, and decided to solve it.”
After Larson discovered specialized cleaning drones online, they immersed themselves in research, training and certification before adding drone cleaning to their services.
Today, their drone can safely clean water towers, hospitals, apartment buildings, large commercial buildings and other hard-to-reach structures without the need for scaffolding or disrupting daily operations.
“And it's pretty cool, too,” Larson added with a smile.
The NDSU Advantage
Both students credit the NDSU College of Business with helping them develop the financial knowledge and professional connections that continue to shape their business.
Larson points to coursework in accounting and investments as instrumental in helping him understand cash flow, taxes and long-term financial planning.
“Courses with Fariz [Huseynov], knowing where your money needs to go and learning how to invest it instead of spending everything, that's been huge,” he said.
For Clarke, some of the biggest lessons happened outside the classroom.
Through the Bison Fund and Pathway Ventures, he had opportunities to meet business owners, ask questions and learn directly from entrepreneurs.
“Those conversations with faculty and business leaders after class,” Clarke said. “They've helped us make connections that matter.”
Building Relationships
While coursework helped them understand business fundamentals, both students say one of the biggest advantages of attending NDSU has been the people.
Through professors, alumni and business leaders, the pair built relationships that opened doors they never expected.
“Somebody always knows somebody,” Clarke said. “Those connections have gotten us into rooms we wouldn't have been in otherwise.”
They also credit the Fargo community for embracing young entrepreneurs.
“People here genuinely want to help you succeed,” Larson said.
Discipline Meets Entrepreneurship
Running a growing company while earning a business degree is demanding enough. For Larson, there's another full-time commitment: competing as a student-athlete for NDSU Bison football.
Rather than competing for his time, Larson says football has made him a better entrepreneur.
“Football is all about discipline, and you need discipline to run a business,” he said. “It's football, business, football, and back to business. I’ve learned to show up, be early and take action.”
Advice for Future Entrepreneurs
When asked what advice they'd give other students thinking about starting a business, neither hesitated.
“Get involved in the community,” Clarke said. “Learn from people who've already done it, and don't spend all your time talking about your idea. Take action.”
Larson agreed.
“Talking about doing the thing isn't doing the thing.”
Looking Forward
Their first customer came from knocking on a single door. Today, they're opening doors to opportunities they never imagined.
As Luxury Exteriors continues to expand its commercial drone cleaning services, Clarke and Larson are still guided by the same philosophy that launched the business in the first place: stop talking about the idea and start doing it.
If you would like to support Luxury Exteriors, visit their website luxuryexterior.org or call 612-805-8282.