PENTWATER, Mich. — Inside a small family-owned business in the lakeside town of Pentwater is Addison Brindgedahl- the village's newest 17-year-old business owner.
For the past couple of years, Brindgedahl has managed her family's store- Kamp Spot- in the heart of downtown Pentwater. Running the behind-the-scenes work required to keep the business afloat: learning how to drive a professional truck and trailer and design tourist t-shirts for her parent's shop.
All the while completing two grades at once to graduate a year early, through the Great Lake Learning Academy's online school program.
Brindgedahl said her dream is to own her own business.
"I just think it would be so cool to have a drink truck or trailer one day," Brindgedahl said.
Brindgedahl said though unorthodox, her version of online school was the best decision for her- allowing her to focus on learning how to be a successful entrepreneur, instead of her days being focused on schoolwork.
"I could stay up until 2 in the morning on my computer doing it and the next day," Brindgedahl said. "I could come in the store and not have to worry about school."
Ever since Brindgedahl's parents founded their businesses Beth Brindgedahl, Addison's mother, said Addy was intently interested in the inner workings of a business.
Brindgedahl said she learned most of what she knows about business from her parents.
"I started to watch everything they were doing in the behind the scenes of the business," Brindgedahl said. "I've learned a lot from that."
With her family's support, Brindgedahl was able to get a head start on her dream of owning a touring drink truck- using the patio next to her parent's shop to open Sweet Addy's- Brindgedahl's drink tent.
"This past weekend, I had opened up my drink tent on the side of the store, and it went really well. So I want to get a food truck for it," Brindgedahl said.
Beth Brindgedahl said when Addy began her entrepreneur journey, she was a natural.
"I think she just got bit by the entrepaneur bug," Brindgedahl said. "She's fierce, when she's determined, when there's something she wants to complete, she will go to no ends to complete it."
Brindgedahl said owning a business is deeper than one might think,
"Anyone can learn how to work a window or make a product, but being a business owner is so much more," she said.
Yet Addy was able to handle the challenges, with what she's learned from running the family's store.
Addison said not everyone supports her decision- going against the typical education framework.
"You're not going to college, you're not getting a degree," Brindgedahl said. "I don't really care because I'm so excited for it, and I know my family supports it."
"I did it, I graduated, and I'm starting my own business," Brindgedahl added.
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