12-Year-Old Launches Auto Detailing Startup to Fund E-Bike Dream

Alder Gonzales is earning money for his own e-bike by starting a door-to-door car cleaning business in Bend, Oregon.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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A 12-year-old Bend, Oregon resident named Alder Gonzales has started his own auto detailing service, going door-to-door and offering professional car cleaning services to fund his dream of buying an e-bike. Gonzales has seen a surge in business after being featured in a local Facebook group, and he's now traveling directly to clients' homes to work on their vehicles using proper cleaning equipment and products.

Why it matters

Gonzales' entrepreneurial spirit and drive to achieve his goal of owning an e-bike through his own hard work and initiative is an inspiring story that highlights the ingenuity and determination of young people. His auto detailing business also provides a valuable service to the local community.

The details

Gonzales manages his auto detailing business while also balancing his schoolwork. He offers high-quality cleaning services for both the interior and exterior of vehicles, using specialized products to recreate the results of a professional auto detailer. Gonzales sees this as a potential future career path, envisioning a van-based mobile detailing business that could allow him to service clients from anywhere.

  • Gonzales started his auto detailing business recently.
  • His business has seen a significant increase in clients after being featured in a local Facebook group.

The players

Alder Gonzales

A 12-year-old resident of Bend, Oregon who has started his own auto detailing business to earn money for an e-bike.

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What they’re saying

“I see a lot of people who do this for, like, a full time job and they get like a bunch of clients. They have, like, a big business.”

— Alder Gonzales (KTVZ)

“All this stuff would go in the van and have and it would just be ways to do so because I could drive to people like from anywhere and I could just work out of the van.”

— Alder Gonzales (KTVZ)

What’s next

Gonzales will need to continue growing his auto detailing business to save up enough money to purchase the e-bike he desires.

The takeaway

Gonzales' entrepreneurial spirit and determination to achieve his goal through hard work and initiative is an inspiring example for young people, showcasing how they can turn their dreams into reality through perseverance and creativity.