Twelve-year-old entrepreneur Drew HasBrouck, Saratoga Springs, has his own snow removal business, D and M Snow Removal. He said he wanted a way to make money and this is what he came up with.

Derek HasBrouck, Drew’s father, said his son is just very ambitious.

With his 1968 model lawn tractor, the younger HasBrouck tows a wagon with shovels and snow blower.

“I do it every time it snows,” he said.

One of his customers has a 2 inch minimum for removal, but for the rest the young man is up at 5:30 a.m. and off to work before school.

“As parents we try to be supportive,” Derek said. “We are tickled to death to see him go out and do this. He is very ambitious.”

HasBrouck said his son knows how many driveways he can get done before school without there being a delay.

“School is clearly job one,” HasBrouck said. “He knows his priorities and keeps them straight.

It’s a balancing act and he is good at it.”

HasBrouck said his son mowed a few lawns last year and kept them for the winter. He said they were pleased with his work, which is good to see for a parent.

Greg Griskowitz started having Drew mow his lawn and rake his leaves during the fall of 2007 and this is the first year he is using him for snow removal.

“He’s been fantastic,” Griskowitz said. “He gets there early and gets the job done well.”

Griskowitz had a flier on his doorstop and gave Drew a call. He gave him an estimate and has plowed Griskowitz’s driveway.

“Last year I did it myself because my regular plow guy never showed up,” Griskowitz said. “Drew goes out and does everything.”

He said Drew shovels out the walkway, around the mailbox and clears the driveway.

Drew HasBrouck doesn’t work alone though. When his friends are free they lend him a hand and his father keeps an eye on things.

Depending on the size of the driveway or sidewalk, the costs vary.

When asked why someone should check his venture out, HasBrouck said this. “I’m cheaper than most and I’m very reliable. Your driveway always gets done.”

Derek HasBrouck said his son his booked for this year.

“It’s been a learning experience,” he said of his son’s venture.

He said his son sets his alarm and gets up, has learned to check the oil in the tractor and jump starting a dead battery. He said his son turns 13 this month, but is appreciative of community members giving him a chance.

“I’m just a proud parent,” Derek said. “It’s been fun working with him and a learning experience for us both.”

Griskowitz said when he was 8-years-old he shoveled out neighbors driveways and raked leaves. He said it is difficult now-a-days to find someone young to be so motivated.

“I highly recommend him,” he said of Drew. “He does a great job.”