It was early Fall in 2000 and like most kids that had just graduated, I found that the Summer had gone by way to fast. After weighing the options between work/college, I decided to journey off and explore what collage had to offer. After attending Bethany Lutheran College for 1.5 years and paying for class’s I rarely went to, I figured college might not be my thing.
Over the next several years I worked a handful of different jobs, never quite seeing a future with any of them. They did have one thing in common though and that was working outside mowing grass.
While driving back from lunch one afternoon in the spring of 2005 I happened to notice a lawn care company leaving someone’s property. As I passed, I noticed a number of area’s that stood out. There were several area’s scalped, not trimmed, and the drive was covered in clippings. From that day on, every time I drove by that house it bugged me for whatever reason.
A few months later with a loan from my mom, and a little money I saved up I was able to purchase a small zero turn mower, trimmer, blower, and 5×10 trailer. Little did I know where that decision would take me, and what it would teach me.
Over the course of the next few years I was able to slowly build my business, all while working full time at a lumberyard. Then in 2007, I got a call from my mom that would change everything for me. She mentioned she’d come across a listing on Craigslist advertising a lawn care business for sale I should look at.
After doing my do diligence, some nerve wrecking negotiations, and the help of a loan, I was fortunate enough to purchase the existing business. I now had enough clients to be able to quit my full-time job.
Looking back, it was a huge risk taking on that much debt, more than tripling my client base, and having no proper business training. It has been very humbling along the way while teaching me many hard lessons. Would I do it all over again, yes, its allowed me to enjoy going to work everyday since then, and am grateful for that.
About Us Today
The Lawn Barber Services provides reliable, quality focused property maintenance to clients in Elysian, Madison Lake, Eagle Lake, and Mankato. We specialize in upscale lake homes in the LeSueur County area. The Lawn Barber maintains both residential & commercial properties, and have the experience to complete work in a safe, efficient manner.
Our company is also committed to the environment, taking several steps over the years to lesson our footprint, while providing our clients with an eco-friendly option. Our company was the first in Minnesota to use propane powered mowers back in 2009, and became the first company to use battery powered lawn equipment in 2019. Besides eco-friendly mowers, we also offer natural mosquito/tick control, and organic weed spraying.
