During the winter, many businesses and people are out plowing the streets and driveways to make it easier for people to get to where they need to go. One business that helped get through this snowy winter was Salt and Shovel – Shoveling Co. run by Emiliano Limon, 11, and Xavier Subra, 11. 

The two students decided earlier this winter to get together and shovel driveways anytime it snowed. They got the idea during their business class as a way to earn extra money. They decided to include other friends to help as well. 

“At first, we didn’t really have the right equipment and it was difficult to get through the ice,” Subra said. “But we eventually got better equipment.”

This winter, they worked on roughly 20 driveways and re-did some multiple times as needed. They split up into two groups to help cover more houses, which helped them earn more in less time than if they were working in one big group. They would also listen to music as they worked to help motivate them and make it go by quicker.

“It really helped that we were all friends,” Limon said. “I don’t think I would have been able to work as hard if I was with random people.” 

The ice and bitter cold weather also made it difficult for them as they would spend a lot of time just trying to break up the icy layer under the snow. Also, the cold weather and bright sun would melt and cause refreezing as they shoveled, requiring them to have to make multiple trips at driveways just to keep them clear. 

“We’ll probably charge hourly if we do it again next year,” Subra said. “We really got hurt by how long it took us to get through the ice.”

The group provided a lot of help for residents this winter and hope to do it again next year while implementing some changes for improvement in efficiency, but they both enjoyed the work.

“We hope to get together again next year with better equipment and a bigger group of people to be able to help more people in need,” Subra said.