One of the youngest business owners in Columbus is Hunter Short.

He is a 17-year-old senior at Heritage Academy. He operates "Short's Yard Service" and this month he received a Young Entrepreneur Award from the National Federation of Independent Business. One-hundred young business owners in the U.S. received one of the awards.

Short is the only recipient in Mississippi. As part of the award, he will receive a $2,000 scholarship.

Short began landscaping in 2009. It happened like this: A new neighbor had moved in down the street and Short asked if he could rake the leaves from their yard and cut their grass. They agreed, paid Short $10 and a few years later "Short's Yard Service" was born. He is based out of his home.

Short told The Dispatch his motto is "no task is too big or too small." He mows grass, he prunes bushes, he rakes leaves, works on flowerbeds, removes fallen limbs, etc. His focus has been on residential properties. He is looking to expand into the commercial market, though.

What's the hardest part of being a 17-year-old business owner?

"For me, (it) is time management," he said. "When business picks up it can be challenging to get all of my tasks done in a timely manner."

Short plans on attending Auburn University in the fall and majoring in accounting or finance. His parents are Bo and Christy Short.

The telephone number for "Short's Yard Service" is 662-352-9277.

Moving on.

On Jan. 29, in Columbus, Brad Guy purchased Watkin's Washette from Bobby Watkins.

After making a series of upgrades to the longtime Highway 45 North laundromat, Guy opened Columbus Laundromat in the same spot.

A new floor was installed. A new paint job was done. New equipment was brought in, too, including three eight-load washers. Many of the new machines have been outfitted with credit card readers.

The Columbus Laundromat is open 24/7.

The address is 707 Hwy. 45 N.

Guy also owns laundromats in West Point and Macon.

Browning on Business is a weekly column that runs each Thursday. We want your input. Send items and tips to [email protected] or [email protected]