Cleaning up! Autistic schoolboy who was turned down for dozens of part-time jobs sets up his own business washing bins - and he's already raking in thousands of dollars

  • An autistic school boy is raking in big money after he started a cleaning business
  • Clay Lewis, 16, has earned over $6,000 since he started cleaning wheelie bins
  • The teenager has gained 70 clients and has to hire three of his school friends
  • The young entrepreneur made the move after he struggled to find employment 

By PAULA AHILLON FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: | Updated:

An autistic schoolboy is raking in big money after he started a business cleaning wheelie bins as he struggled to find a job. 

Clay Lewis, 16, set up 'Clay's Bin Cleaning' over a year ago where he has gained 70 clients and has had to hire three employees, which are his school mates. 

The young entrepreneur, who was diagnosed with autism when he was two, has earned over $6,000 since he started his business.  

Autistic school boy Clay Lewis (pictured)  is raking in big money after he started a business cleaning wheelie bins as he struggled to find a job

Autistic school boy Clay Lewis (pictured)  is raking in big money after he started a business cleaning wheelie bins as he struggled to find a job

He set up 'Clay's Bin Cleaning' over a year ago where he has gained 70 clients and has had to hire three employees, which are his school mates

He set up 'Clay's Bin Cleaning' over a year ago where he has gained 70 clients and has had to hire three employees, which are his school mates

The young entrepreneur, who was diagnosed with autism since he was two, has earned over $6,000 since he started his business

The young entrepreneur, who was diagnosed with autism since he was two, has earned over $6,000 since he started his business

When asked about his motive behind his job, the innovative teenager from southeast Brisbane jokingly said: 'I just love getting cash.'

Clay charges customers $10 per bin and $5 for each additional bin. 

He began his business with the help of his mum Laura Lewis after few employers were willing to give him a chance at an after school job. 

'Because he speaks differently than other people, employers have unfair assumptions based on first impressions,' Laura Lewis told Daily Mail Australia.   

'If clay had a job interview today, I can guarantee you he won't get a job,

'They don't know he has a great work ethic, he is very loyal and very diligent.

'If people are given chances, their self confidence will improve.' 

The school boy's booming business meant that his mum had to use an app to manage the growing number of clients

The school boy's booming business meant that his mum had to use an app to manage the growing number of clients

Ms Lewis' aim for her son is that he'll become a fully independent member of the community, who does not have to rely on social welfare because of his disability. 

Clay has even paid it forward and offered to clean bins for charities for free. 

The school boy's booming business meant that his mum had to use an app to manage the growing number of clients. 

Zoe Lawton, who is a regular customer of Clay's Bin Cleaning has said the 16-year-old 'does a fantastic job every time'. 

'He's a great inspiration for anyone - not just teenagers but for people like myself,' she said. 

Of the 70 customers on Clay's database, about 30 are regular. 

For two years, Clay he began offering to take people's bins out the night before the  rounds and charged customers a dollar per week for the service, where he picked up seven clients when he was just 14.

Clay is unsure of his plans after high school but may expand his business to include cleaning driveways. 

The teenager is now saving up for a holiday overseas where he wants to go to Dubai for the Formula 1 car racing championships

The teenager is now saving up for a holiday overseas where he wants to go to Dubai for the Formula 1 car racing championships

Ms Lewis said parents with disabled children should not find it hard to get employment. 

'Families are so busy and spend their days working and there are so many job opportunities for children with disabilities,' she said. 

'Dog walking, water plants, mowing lawns and cleaning pools are jobs any busy family would pay someone to do,

'I encourage those parents to help their kids find a niche and just set up a Facebook page.' 

The teenager is now saving up for a holiday overseas where he wants to go to Dubai for the Formula 1 car racing championships. 

Most watched News videos