What started as a single window cleaning job turned into five when four neighbors approached Liam Bernatz and his brother while they were working at a Hastings home. Each asked for an estimate, and before long, all four had scheduled appointments of their own. This year, the crew returned to clean windows at all five homes on the same street. For Bernatz, a senior at Hastings High School, experiences like that have helped turn a teenage business idea into Cleanstride Windows LLC, a growing company serving Hastings and surrounding communities.
Bernatz and fellow Hastings High School senior Thomas Foss started cleaning windows in 2024 after seeing social media posts suggesting it could be a profitable business. At the time, Bernatz was earning about $9 an hour working at Dairy Queen, while Foss was making approximately $10 an hour as a lifeguard. The two decided to give window cleaning a try, initially using traditional squeegees and basic equipment. Their first summer brought approximately 30 residential jobs, but they quickly realized there was an opportunity to build something bigger.
Since then, the business has expanded, with Bernatz reporting approximately 80 homes cleaned during this summer and fall. The company continues to schedule jobs on weekends as the students balance their senior year with running the business. Bernatz credits much of that growth to the Hastings community and customers who recommend the company to friends and neighbors. "I think it's honestly just based off the Hastings community itself," Bernatz said. "I think we're just like a really tight knit community, and a lot of it's word of mouth." Along with those referrals, the business has grown through yard signs, an online presence and the professionalism the students have worked to establish.
A major turning point came about six months into their first year, when Bernatz and Foss decided to invest in more advanced window cleaning equipment. The company purchased a deionized water purification system, which uses water from a customer's home and removes minerals that can leave spots on glass. The purified water is delivered through an extendable pole equipped with a cleaning brush, allowing the crew to reach upper-story windows while remaining on the ground. The equipment has dramatically changed how the students approach their work, allowing them to complete several homes in a single day without relying on ladders for much of the work. "It minimizes the user error while maximizing the efficiency," Bernatz said.
As the company has expanded, so has its workforce. Bernatz's brother joined the operation to help handle the increasing number of jobs, and the business has moved beyond residential customers to commercial properties, including the Premier Bank building and Innovative Surfaces in Hastings. Bernatz said an experienced window cleaner named Pat has been an important mentor, offering advice and referring larger commercial jobs to the young business owners. His father, Trent Bernatz, has also provided guidance, particularly when it comes to the financial side of operating a business. Those relationships have helped Bernatz learn that running a company requires considerably more than cleaning windows, with scheduling, estimates, equipment purchases, marketing and customer relationships all part of the job.
With graduation approaching, Bernatz and Foss are preparing for another challenge, keeping Cleanstride operating while they attend college. Bernatz plans to attend North Dakota State University to study business finance, while Foss plans to attend college in Colorado. Both expect to leave Hastings in August, creating a need for additional employees. Bernatz said he hopes to hire at least one younger high school student who can help maintain the business during the school year. He also plans to return to Hastings for larger commercial cleaning projects and continue working during summer breaks.
The company is preparing to expand its services in 2027, with plans to add soft washing, gutter cleaning and roof cleaning. Bernatz said those additions would allow Cleanstride to serve more customers while continuing to build relationships throughout the community. "We're honestly trying to get to a new level next year," Bernatz said. Whether Cleanstride eventually becomes his full-time career remains an open question, but he intends to evaluate the company's growth and opportunities as he progresses through college.
For now, the experience has given him an early education in business ownership, customer service and the importance of finding the right market. Bernatz said other high school students have already approached him for advice about starting their own businesses, including students interested in automotive detailing. He encourages them to find something they genuinely enjoy, understand the customers they hope to serve and commit themselves to building the business. "It's just go all in on something you love and are passionate about, and you'll be just fine," Bernatz said. For Bernatz and Foss, a simple idea inspired by social media has become a growing business, one clean window and one satisfied customer at a time.
Cleanstride Windows can be reached at 651-243-1470.