CYstarters Spotlight: A 16-part series highlighting student entrepreneurs pursuing their business ventures as part of the CYstarters 2026 summer cohort. Through this program, students have the unique opportunity to prioritize the development of their own startup or business idea. Each individual receives $6,500 and access to resources such as mentorship, networking opportunities, and educational sessions on entrepreneurship and business startup. Learn more and meet our 17 entrepreneurs at Demo Day on Thursday, July 30. Register today!

How Hunter Smith is Growing Premier Surfaces of Iowa, One Project at a Time

Hunter Smith has always been driven by competition. Growing up in Waukee, Iowa, football taught him discipline and resilience and gave him a desire to outwork those around him. Today, that same mindset fuels Premier Surfaces of Iowa, a business dedicated to helping homeowners protect and improve their biggest investment.

The Iowa State University Ivy College of Business student, majoring in entrepreneurship and sales, founded Premier Surfaces of Iowa to provide in premium exterior surface specializing in deck staining and methyl methacrylate (MMA) resin floor coatings. Through high-quality craftsmanship, Hunter and his team aim to help clients maximize the look and value of their properties.

Entrepreneurship has always been a part of Hunter’s life. Both of his parents owned their own businesses, giving him an early look at the rewards— and realities— of working for yourself.

Like many high school students, Hunter worked at a garden center and at the grocery store, but traditional jobs never felt like the right fit. Between his long shifts and football training, he found it difficult to balance work with the lifestyle he wanted. “I just always knew I wanted to do something I can do on my own time,” Hunter said.

More than making money, Hunter was drawn to the freedom to take control of his own time while creating something that positively impacts others. “A lot of the time, it’s time consuming. I think that’s a blessing because not everyone has work they can do every day,” he said. “I do think that’s valuable and I am blessed for that.”

Premier Surfaces of Iowa started with a simple favor. A friend, Cooper Collins, and his family were preparing to sell their home and needed the deck stained. As the two worked, they noticed nearly every neighboring deck showing signs of the same weather damage.

“We’re looking around, we’re like well all these neighbors, their decks don’t look very good either,” Hunter said.

Having already grown comfortable knocking on doors while selling football coupon cards in high school, Hunter wasn’t afraid to introduce himself to homeowners.

“We just went to talk to them, and that’s how the business formed, and just kept building from there,” he said.

Today, Premier Surfaces of Iowa helps homeowners combat Iowa’s harsh weather by protecting decks and garages with long-lasting surface solutions.

“If it’s not done the right way, it’s not going to last,” Hunter said. “We are making sure that it’s going to last and look good for years to come.”

One early project taught Hunter a valuable lesson about customer service. His team significantly underquoted a deck restoration job, leaving little room for profit. Although the homeowner was initially hesitant, the finished project exceeded expectations. The customer shared the results on Facebook, which led to 10 to 15 additional jobs.

“It ended up being super valuable,” he said. “We learned that even though we underquoted it, it was important that we did the right thing and did high-quality work.”

Hunter has overcome challenges along the way. In the beginning, door-to-door conversations were met with a fair share of “no’s,” but each interaction helped refine the team’s sales approach, pricing strategy and business model.

His parents have remained the biggest supporters on the journey. “Where they’ve been able to get, that’s kind of been a motivating factor for me,” Hunter said.

For Hunter, the most rewarding part isn’t the completion of a project, it is seeing the smiles that come with a job well done. “Seeing the look on people’s faces when they’re super happy, that just makes me feel really good,” he said.

One surprise has been just how demanding business ownership can be. “I kind of thought maybe you have more free time, but I actually have a lot less. It is like time is on 10x speed,” Hunter said.

To create a better balance, Hunter has started taking on the practice of time-blocking, a practice he strengthened through CYstarters.

His morning begins with a workout before transitioning into focused work. In the middle of the day, he intentionally spends time outside to recharge before returning to work in the evening. Friends, family, faith and health remain priorities throughout his schedule.

CYstarters has helped empower Hunter to grow his business and take on new challenges. One of the best connections has been a supportive community. “Early on, I was so overwhelmed, but being with the supportive community that CYstarters offers, it’s been amazing for me and helped me stay in the right head space,” Hunter said.

This summer, Hunter’s goals include building strong routines, onboarding three new employees and expanding the company’s digital marketing and social media presence so future growth doesn’t have to rely strictly on door-to-door sales. “I think that would just save a lot of time,” he said.

Through the experience, Hunter has learned that he is persistent and disciplined. “I really prioritize doing the little things right and have a really strong work ethic.”

The next big move for the business is a shift to go all in on MMA floorings. This summer, Hunter and his team are finishing their training and are excited to be meeting with six new clients.

For other students thinking about starting their own business, Hunter’s advice is straightforward: just start. “It’s not going to be perfect in the beginning, but if you just do something, I think you’ll make it happen if you truly believe in it,” he said.

You can learn more about Premier Surfaces of Iowa, view before-and-after project photos and request a free quote at www.premiersurfacesofiowallc.com.

Register for Demo Day on July 30!

Check out our video interview with Hunter Smith below!