Always Looking for the Next Opportunity 

Trenton and Kenton Harris have never been ones to sit still. Throughout high school and beyond, the twin brothers from Johnston were constantly trying to build something of their own. Even as kids, they were always looking for ways to sell things and make money on their own terms. 

Their list of attempted ventures is long and varied: selling clothes, dropshipping, cryptocurrency, stock trading, meme coins, even mixed martial arts training. But despite their hustle and determination, nothing quite clicked. They were creative people with big ideas, but lacked the space and resources to bring those ideas to life. 

After graduating from Johnston in December 2023, both brothers found themselves at a crossroads. They picked up various jobs to pay bills and help their mom, but their hearts weren’t in it. Kenton (above right) was always focused on starting his own business rather than working for someone else. What they really needed was a place where they could develop their skills, connect with mentors, and turn their entrepreneurial energy into something real. 

A Mom Who Believed in Them 

That place found them in an unexpected way. Their mother, a teacher at Meredith Middle School who had always encouraged their creativity, heard about Oak Studio Teen Tech Center at Mainframe Studios. Being deeply involved in youth activities, she brought them downtown to check it out. 

The twins weren’t sure what to expect, but they were impressed by what they found. The timing was perfect: both brothers were struggling to find something creative to do and a space to do it. “We’re creative people. We want to start businesses and we do art and we do a lot of things, but there wasn’t a space for it,” Trenton (above left) explains. “We were looking for that. It was right here.” 

Career Pathways Opens New Doors 

Shortly after discovering Oak Studio, the twins were selected for the Career Pathways program led by Emmett Phillips, the Teen Tech Center’s Career Pathways Facilitator. “They were dragged in here by their mom,” Emmett recalls. The twins were on the edge of losing direction, admittedly without much motivation or structure. “You don’t have to come in already high performing to be successful,” Emmett says. “You can come in rough, you can come in rugged, and you can have that transformation process.” 

The program offered professional development training and mentorship, all while being paid. For Kenton, the opportunity sounded too good to pass up. For Trenton, being selected felt like a turning point. He had never been picked for an opportunity like that before. 

The eight month program focused heavily on soft skills: professional communication, interpersonal skills, interview training, and public speaking. The experience proved life changing, especially for Kenton, who describes himself as introverted. The program taught the pair how to interact in groups and work with people from different backgrounds and experiences. The diverse cohort worked together on projects, building both technical skills and professional confidence. As Kenton puts it, anyone who goes through the program will walk away different, with new information and skills they didn’t have before. 

At the program’s culminating presentation, Trenton created a powerful before and after slide showcasing his transformation. “That confidence, that internal change,” Emmett reflects, “and the type of solidarity that they build with each other, and how they connect with us, and how they basically treat this space now as another home, that is the major success of the program right there.” 

Following the Career Pathways program, both twins completed internships at Best Buy in West Des Moines. The experience was valuable, giving them a taste of professional work environments, but their entrepreneurial spirit was calling them toward something of their own. 

Surge Detailing Takes Shape 

The idea came from an unlikely source: a YouTube video about car detailing. Trenton thought it looked doable and realized people love having their cars professionally cleaned. With money saved from their internships, the twins pooled their resources and bought materials. They named their business Surge Detailing, a name that evolved from their initial plan to do pressure washing. 

They started small, cleaning their mom’s car, then moved on to neighbors and friends. Even Derek Frank, the Oak Studio coordinator, became a customer. Now they’re actively working to grow their customer base. 

The support from Oak Studio has been crucial to getting their business off the ground. Derek and Emmett have been supporters, both emotionally and practically. Beyond encouragement, the Teen Tech Center provides the tools they need to market themselves professionally. With access to high powered computers and Adobe Creative Suite, the twins create content for their website, Facebook page, and Instagram. These are tools they’d otherwise have to pay for themselves. 

Derek’s mentorship extends beyond just providing equipment. “Every time I talk about my business to Derek, he always has another idea to bounce off of,” Trenton says. “There’s always something more to think about.” 

The Road Ahead 

The twins have learned from their past ventures, and this time feels different. They have a solid business plan, the right tools, and a support system that believes in them. Their goal is simple: build a successful business doing something they enjoy, on their own terms. 

For two young entrepreneurs who spent years searching for the right opportunity and the right space to make it happen, Surge Detailing represents more than just a car detailing service. It’s proof that with the right support and resources, their entrepreneurial dreams can become reality. 

The Harris twins can be reached at 515-718-2102, and they look forward to connecting with new customers. 

The Oak Studio Teen Tech Center is changing the lives of central Iowa youth every day. To contribute to these important services, click here to donate.