By Jillian Risberg 

At only 16-years-old, Lorenzo Viney became a handyman because he loves to assist people with projects, small or large. 

“When I first started my business I noticed how helpful I was being to my community, saving them tons of time and effort,” Viney says. “It makes me feel really good about myself and is a big motivator.”

The West Orange High School sophomore has been obsessed with building things since age 11. He has always loved LEGO and would challenge himself to create more builds with larger amounts of parts.

“I build anything that has instructions, take apart anything and stain furniture and lots of other things,” says Viney, adding that his rates depend on the job but he promises to give great and accurate quotes.

After the past year and living this “new normal,” the 16-year-old says online school didn’t feel right but opening his handyman business in December was everything. 

“Everyone has been super nice to me. They trust me to get all the work done and I really appreciate it,” Viney says.

There’s nothing like giving back. 

“Before COVID I did community service like helping the homeless by preparing food for them and packing Thanksgiving dinners to people who couldn’t afford one,” says the high school sophomore, who is starting young.  

He plans to grow his business, hoping to reach 200 clients before leaving for college.

That work ethic and benevolent nature has served him well.  

“I am a quarter way there with 60 clients so far,” Viney says.

And the 16-year-old has his sights set on becoming a civil engineer, while also thinking about woodworking (as a fun hobby) to create anything people want.

He definitely has fans. One in particular always recognized his potential and is reveling in all he is, helping serve as his advisor. 

“That’s my role; to invest in the success of my son,” says L-Mani S. Viney, Dean of Students at Piscataway High School, on being the best model of what a great employee should look like when the time comes that the teen launches the adult version of his business. 

According to his father, Lorenzo has gone from shoveling snow at 15, to putting shelves together, to sanding and staining decks to learning brick masonry under his grandfather, a master brick mason. 

“Now he’s elevating his craft doing on the job intense training/apprenticeship in Philly working on refinishing brick, putting up a wall, mixing concrete and everything in between. He’s up early with grandad and back late; loving every minute of it,” L-Mani S. Viney says. 

“The hardworking kid? The one who thrives getting his hands dirty? Who’s down for the 24/7? The one that bounces back up when adversity hits? Always shows up no matter what? That kid, that young man — always wins. That’s what I have always wanted to make sure my son became and he continues to exceed every single expectation I have of him,” his father says. “Plus he’s maintained a 3.6 GPA, honors classes, Marching Band and still being a teenager doing teenage things? Damn right I’m proud.”

At the end of the day, this whole endeavor has had a profound impact on the teen.

“Being able to challenge myself with new things gives me lots more excitement with what I do,” Lorenzo says. 

In need of a handyman? Email mrlorenzo@handymanzo.com or call 973-960-7871.