At age 14, Zach Haney founded Teens Taking Action, a non-profit organization that helps teens improve their local community through service and volunteer work.

Despite only being a freshman in high school, Zach led the organization through partnerships with with the YMCA and FELD Entertainment Corp to forward their mission of adolescent engagement. Since then, TTA has donated over 6,500 books to New Orleans public schools and has put on service events for homeless families in cooperation with FELD Entertainment.

Zach has also founded Carnival Guy Party Rentals, a company that specializes in planning and providing school carnivals, corporate events, private parties, and party rentals. Founded in 2011, Carnival Guy Party Rentals now serves the majority of Northeast Kansas, and has a sister company, Oliver Events.

Through all the hard work, Zach has managed to continue to do well in school, having served as class president for 3 years of high school. Soon to be entering college at the Washburn’s School of Business, Zach has had a chance to reflect on his ventures as a teen entrepreneur and was nice enough to sit down with me for an interview.

What made you decide to start your own business after Teens Taking Action?

I founded Teens Taking Action, Inc. at age 14. I’ve always been interested in community service and the first project I planned was a free carnival for our local homeless shelter.

After planning that event for two years, I realized our city lacked a full service party rental company that offered friendly customer care, reliable service and a staff which could offer planning and ideas for our clients events. So, I formed Kansas Carnival Supply, LLC, which now dba the Carnival Guy, and serves the greater part of Northeast Kansas.

How have TTA and Carnival Guy grown since you first started them? What obstacles have you faced?

The organization in particular has served over 2,000 people in Topeka alone. We’ve collected over 10,000 books sending half to New Orleans, created a partnership with Feld Entertainment and were able to take all of the homeless families to see the circus at no cost.

The Carnival Guy planned over 70 events during our first year of business and actually made profit.

The biggest obstacle I’ve had is not always being taken seriously. I’ve had adults who like to “offer advice” and tell me how to do my job.

Being younger and running my company has definitely helped me get to where I am today. Having the ability to run my business out of my parents’ home has also helped with my costs.

Being younger and running my company has definitely helped me get to where I am today.

What are some of the biggest lessons you learned in business that might have surprised you when you first started out?

I had experience in planning carnivals before I actually got into this business. However there are many people who believe it’s so easy to start a business like mine. They forget to realize the insurance, weekends, 200lb inflatables, and all the work that goes into it. They just like to think about the money being made. One thing I’ve learned is making sure you follow instructions, read all the find print and stay well organized.

Overall, I’m passionate about the work I do, and the money comes second.

I’m passionate about the work I do, and the money comes second.

It seems like you have a passion for social entrepreneurship. Where does this drive come from? 

I have always had a passion for entrepreneurship, but I also love getting to serve people.

The consumer today wants to use a company that offers personalization, fits their needs, and does good for either people or the environment. The customer knows they have the ability to take their business elsewhere.

I never imagined I’d own a company that would allow me to earn the title as Topeka’s Top 20 Under 40 or the Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year. So for me, I simply started by giving back to the community, and because of that event, I saw another need which wasn’t being filled.

The consumer today wants to use a company that offers personalization, fits their needs, and does good for either people or the environment.

Where do you see yourself headed in the future with regards to business? 

I plan to continue running my company and organization through college. Next fall I start at the Washburn’s School of Business and will begin an internship at the world headquarters of Payless Shoesource. My goal is to one day run a corporation and with more experience I hope to serve my community, state and country on a larger level.

Find Zach On The Web

You can connect with Zach on LinkedIn here. Be sure to follow TTA on twitter.