By Stefan Yablonski
Madison Leszczynski, 16, is a high school student — completing her sophomore year at Red Creek High School. Besides juggling school work she’s busy running the business she started: Fair Haven Water Bikes.
At the age of 14, she launched her business.
“Our first season was summer 2022. I started this with the help of my father [Mike] when I was just 14,” she said. “We came up with the idea in 2021 after spending time with my grandmother when we were at a family reunion in Buffalo.”
They “happened to see water bikes for rent there” and they thought it would be a great idea to bring it as an attraction to Fair Haven, she explained.
Water bikes are human-powered water crafts that simulate the feeling of riding a bike. Water bikes mount a seat, handlebars and pedals atop two kayak-like floatation devices, allowing users to cycle across the surface of water at speeds up to 10 mph.
“Now that Fair Haven is our home, I wanted to find an attraction that was unique to our bay and also fun for families,” she said.
Madison said she is “very fortunate to have the support of her family” — and entrepreneurial guidance from not only her dad but both of her grandmothers.
“My family helped invest in my first four water bikes and then over the last year, I’ve saved and reinvested to purchase two additional bikes,” she added.
“My dad has been my mentor from inception and as we come up on our third season,” she continued. “He has helped me with everything including developing a business plan, marketing and even helping me with maintenance on the bikes.”
All in the family
Her brother, Tanner, 11, has also helped her on the rentals since he was 10, she said. “He aspires to take over the business when I go to college.”
She said she will take him on as an understudy this summer to train him on the business so he can take it over at 13/14 when she goes to college.
“Tanner will work with me this summer and until I graduate and ideally take over Fair Haven Water Bikes when I go to college,” she explained. “He’s really good with the customers and he’s our greatest ambassador at school and around town. My goal is to start to explain more about the business end this season and involve him more in the decision process so he’s familiar with expenses, sales tax, marketing and how to expand.”
Right now, they have six water bikes for rent. You can rent for 90 minutes, half day or full day.
“We’ve introduced holiday specials, yoga sessions on the bikes and I’m even considering night glow rides,” she said. “I also try to participate in community events and tie in our attraction to also benefit local businesses.”
Madison reached out to several Fair Haven businesses about creating water bike stops, which are now available at Turtle Cove Resort & Marina, Little Sodus Inn, Colloca Estate Winery and Pleasant Beach Hotel. Renters are encouraged to use them to grab food and beverages and explore the village.
“To me, it’s all about getting people to come to the community and stay a while — eat lunch or dinner, visit the boutique shops and enjoy the water,” she said.
Her mother, Jamie, said she and her husband are happy to see the community helping the young entrepreneur.
It can be difficult balancing school and your own business, Madison admitted.
“I’d say juggling school work, sports and just being a teenager has been the hardest part of owning my own business,” she said. “We try to open up as soon as the weather allows and often that’s when I’m still in school. Our typical season though is Memorial Day to Labor Day.”
As a high school sophomore, she said she’s not sure on what college she’d like to go to.
“But I am very interested in something in healthcare — specifically physical therapy or mental health. I really like helping people,” she said.
