My shuttle driver this morning told me about her son who used to have a house close to mine. He lived in the gated neighborhood over a few blocks from me. When he was in 11th grade, he started working for Moon Valley nurseries. His senior year, he saved up $10,000 and bought himself a truck. His boss was so impressed with that, he told him that if he spent the next year saving up another $10k, he would match it so he could buy his first house.

He saved up another $10k. His boss decided to give him the $5k cash and an increase to his salary of $5k. With that he bought a starter home. He is now 30 and still works for Moon Valley. Now he is the Operations Manager.

What a great story of a kid working hard and a boss who believed in his staff enough to put his mouth where his money is.