Pierce Norris

My Story

After graduating from New Trier High School, I pursued a finance degree at Elon University with the goal of becoming an entrepreneur leveraging AI. My passion for business began when I shadowed Courtney Wright, a successful entrepreneur. When I shared my business idea with her, she encouraged me to follow through and I did, launching Northshore Wash.

Running a business alone as a high school student was overwhelming. My biggest challenge was generating leads. I had no idea how to turn thin air into clients. I knew social media played a role, but I didn’t understand how to use it effectively or where to even start. Through trial and error, I learned to market my services, reach out to homeowners, and build a client base from scratch. These experiences shaped my understanding of business development and taught me the value of persistence.

Two years later, I merged Northshore Wash into Student Maintenance, recognizing that long-term success required more than just effort; it needed structure and a strong team. Leading a group of friends and employees came with its own challenges. One of the biggest was figuring out how to fairly delegate pay. It was difficult to communicate this system at first, but by the end of the summer, everyone understood the process and felt fairly compensated. This experience reinforced that leadership is about clear communication, fairness, and ensuring everyone is on the same page.

Entrepreneurship runs in my family. My mom and stepmom, both business owners, instilled in me a strong work ethic and an understanding that opportunities should be pursued with full dedication. Their resilience and adaptability showed me that success comes from taking calculated risks and learning from setbacks.

Beyond business, I’ve been actively exploring AI and its applications. I’ve used AI in stock trading and data analysis, and my interest in the field recently led me to land a role as an AI teacher at Elon University. In an era where AI is reshaping industries, I want to be at the forefront of integrating it into business strategies. Looking ahead, I plan to start a consultancy agency focused on AI, helping businesses navigate this evolving landscape.

Whether through Student Maintenance or future ventures, I’m committed to learning, innovating, and building for the future. Entrepreneurship has taught me that success isn’t built alone it’s about having a vision, adapting, and surrounding yourself with the right people to then make it happen.