Like a lot of teens, Matt Polianites lives with his mother, attends school, and hangs out at skateboard parks.
But unlike almost all his contemporaries, Matt owns a major shopping mall store.
It's called Boardwalk Boston Skate Shop and it's a remarkable achievement for someone too young to buy a beer.
From the outside, the place looks like it was funded by Abercrombie & Fitch. But when I asked for the name of his designer, Matt said I was looking at him. He even had a hand in the design of the cool t-shirts they stock.
Matt didn't exactly fall into this line of work. Before deciding to open Boardwalk Boston, he worked at FreeRide, a skateboard kiosk at the Burlington Mall. When FreeRide closed, Matt smelled opportunity and made his move.
To initially promote the business he gave out stickers and shirts at local skateboard parks.
Today Matt attends Suffolk University and puts in 13-hour days at the store. Is he earning enough to cover the $6,500-a-month rent? Here's what he said in the Boston Globe: "If we weren't doing well, we'd be out of here in a second."
Matt Polianites is planning on expanding. Remember the name.
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