At just 19 years old, Marvin spends his weekends helping his parents' business while working toward his own future.

When I met Marvin, he was only 19 years old.

As someone just a couple of years younger than me, I couldn't help but imagine how different our weekends looked. While many people our age spend their weekends with friends, Marvin was helping his parents keep the family business running.

Every evening, he works alongside his family at their stand near 7th Street and Westlake, serving customers from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. Although he's currently taking online college courses, weekends are dedicated to helping prepare food, serve customers, and keep everything moving during the dinner rush.

Marvin even took the time to point me toward other nearby vendors, making sure I met more people in the neighborhood. It was a small gesture, but one that reflected the sense of community I found throughout my conversations.

On busy days, the stand serves around 50 customers, while slower days bring closer to 30. Marvin told me that preparing the food and keeping up with everyone during rushes are some of the hardest parts of the job.

Talking with Marvin reminded me that many family businesses rely on the next generation. While he's building his own future through school, he's also helping his parents build theirs—one weekend at a time.

Quick Facts

Name: Marvin

Age: 19

Role: Family Business Helper

Location: 7th St. & Westlake

Hours: Daily, 4 PM–10 PM (helps on weekends)

Education: Online College Courses

Customer Traffic: 30–50 Customers Per Day

Biggest Challenge: Food Preparation & Serving Customers

By Austin Iluore

Helping Build the Family Dream