Catching Up with Evan and Michael: Shining Bright with “We Shine Any Car”

Posted on: 12th May 2025 | 6 min

In a bright corner of the Aurora Woodlands School, you’ll find something stirring beyond the usual hum of school life. It’s the sound of ambition, of entrepreneurial spirit, and of two young people determined to shape their futures in bold and exciting ways. Meet Evan and Michael—two driven students who are taking part in the Genuine Futures Taste of Enterprise Programme, and who are now preparing to launch their very own car cleaning business: We Shine Any Car.

This transformative initiative is the product of a pioneering partnership between Genuine Futures and Aurora Woodlands School, designed to unlock the potential of young people through practical, real-world enterprise experience. We recently had the chance to catch up with Evan and Michael during a mentoring session with Mike Alleyne, Director of Genuine Futures, to hear how the journey is going, what they’ve learned, and how their enterprise is revving up for launch.

A Taste of Enterprise: Building Futures from the Ground Up

The Taste of Enterprise Programme is more than just a workshop or classroom lesson. It’s a hands-on, immersive experience that allows young people to imagine, design, and build their own businesses from scratch. With the guidance of experienced mentors, including entrepreneurs, business owners, and educators, students learn everything from branding and marketing to budgeting and customer service.

For Evan and Michael, this experience has been nothing short of transformative.

“Before this, I didn’t really see myself as someone who could run a business,” says Evan. “But now, I’m learning new skills that I know will help me in life—even outside of business. Things like talking to customers, budgeting, and being organised. It’s exciting!”

Michael adds, “I’ve never done anything like this before. Learning how to wash cars properly and give a really professional service— I’m excited to learn and get stuck in!”

The Spark Behind “We Shine Any Car”

It all began with a simple question posed during a session: What’s a real need in your community that you could help solve?

During a lively group brainstorming session, the young people participating in the programme discussed challenges in their local area—from limited job opportunities for teens to everyday services that were in high demand. The idea that stood out most was car cleaning.

“As a group, we realised how many people rely on their cars every day but don’t have the time or means to keep them clean,” explains Michael. “We wanted to offer a service that was useful, affordable, and something we could really take ownership of.”

From there, Evan, Michael, and their peers developed the concept further, and We Shine Any Car was born—a business that reflects their teamwork, creativity, and desire to make a real impact.

“It felt like the perfect idea,” adds Evan. “Everyone got behind it, and now we’re the ones pushing it forward. We’re proud of what we’ve come up with together.”

The Power of Mentorship: A Conversation with Mike Alleyne

As part of the programme, Evan and Michael meet regularly with mentors who guide them through the challenges and decisions that come with starting a business. One of their key supporters is Mike Alleyne, Director of Genuine Futures and a lifelong advocate for youth empowerment.

During a recent catch-up session, Mike was full of praise for the pair.

“These two young men have shown incredible drive,” he says. “From the very beginning, they’ve approached this with maturity and enthusiasm. They’re not just dreaming—they’re doing the hard work, they’re testing their ideas, and they’re learning fast.”

Mike talked through key milestones with the boys, including the development of their pricing structure, safety procedures for working with cleaning products, and how to market their services through flyers and social media.

“They ask good questions,” Mike notes. “They want to do this properly. And they understand that building trust with customers is everything in a service-based business.”

Voices of Support: Why This Programme Matters

Sam Smith, Founder of Genuine Futures, shares:

“We believe every young person deserves a chance to dream, build, and lead. Programmes like this give students like Evan and Michael the platform to shine—not just in business, but in life.”

Mike Alleyne, Director of Genuine Futures, adds:

“Evan and Michael have impressed everyone with their drive, creativity, and professionalism. ‘We Shine Any Car’ isn’t just a business—it’s proof that when we invest in young people, they rise to the occasion.”

Jannette Hilton, Safeguarding Lead at Aurora Woodlands School, reflects:

“What’s most powerful is the change we’re seeing in our students. Their confidence has grown so much, and they’re proud of what they’re creating. This is safeguarding in action—supporting the whole child, preparing them for the real world.”

From Classroom to Marketplace

In the months leading up to the launch, Evan and Michael have taken part in workshops on branding, budgeting, and customer communication. They’ve worked closely with staff at Aurora Woodlands School, and even conducted a small pilot test, cleaning the cars of staff members as part of a practice run.

“The feedback was amazing,” says Michael. “One teacher said her car hadn’t looked that clean in years!”

They’ve now secured a base of operations at the school car park and are in the final stages of ordering professional-grade equipment—everything from eco-friendly cleaning products to branded T-shirts and signage.

“It’s all starting to feel real now,” Evan adds. “We’re not just talking about it—we’re launching a real business. I can’t wait to get started washing cars and showing what we can do.”

Looking for Sponsors: Join the Journey

As We Shine, Any Car gets ready for its official launch. Genuine Futures and Aurora Woodlands School are reaching out to local businesses for sponsorship and support.

“Our goal is to help these young people succeed, but also to connect them with the wider business community,” says Mike Alleyne. “We’re looking for companies who believe in the power of youth entrepreneurship and want to help make a difference.”

Sponsorship opportunities include providing startup equipment, donating branded uniforms, supporting transport costs, or even offering mentorship or training sessions. In return, sponsors will be recognised across promotional materials and celebrated as part of a growing movement to equip the next generation of business leaders.

“This isn’t just charity,” Mike explains. “It’s an investment in future talent. It’s a chance to be part of something inspiring and impactful.”

What’s Next for Evan and Michael?

With the summer months approaching, Evan and Michael are planning to run We Shine Any Car on weekends and potentially expand into mobile services by the autumn. They’re also exploring ways to bring other students into the business, creating opportunities for more young people to gain experience and earn some income.

“We’d love to grow this into something where we can offer jobs to other students,” says Michael. “It would be amazing to give back.”

Evan agrees: “We want to build something that lasts—and helps others, too.”

Final Thoughts: A Model Worth Replicating

The Taste of Enterprise Programme is still in its early days, but the success of Evan and Michael shows just how powerful this kind of initiative can be. It’s not just about business—it’s about confidence, direction, and belief.

“These boys are proof that when you trust young people, give them the tools, and back them with real support, they’ll rise to the challenge,” says Mike Alleyne. “And they’ll surprise you in the best possible ways.”

As We Shine, Any Car prepares to launch, we invite local businesses, entrepreneurs, and community members to join us in supporting this amazing journey. Whether through sponsorship, partnership, or simply by booking a car wash, you can help drive change—one shiny car at a time.

Interested in sponsoring or supporting We Shine Any Car?
 Contact us at hello@genuinefutures.co.uk
Or follow Genuine Futures on social media to stay up to date on the launch and future opportunities.

Let’s back the next generation—because the future is already shining.