Jacob Weyler
(President)
It was the year 2012. I was your average, run of the mill, sixth grader with a new found passion. While other kids were playing outside and playing with friends, I was out signing up my first lawn care customer. It all started when I was eight-years-old; I couldn’t wait to be big enough to mow our lawn. I remember mowing with our John Deere push mower that blew a cloud of smoke when you first tried to start it. Looking back, it was fun for me. At the time, however, my dad realized his lawn had been butchered by an 8 year old who couldn't control the mower.
An activity that started out as a weekly chore soon became the highlight of my week. I was very entertained and intrigued by the art of a well-maintained lawn. I spent countless hours shadowing my dad in every activity he did outside. I became a sponge soaking up every detail. At the time, I was probably the only eight year old who knew exactly what to do if grass tips were brown or if the bushes were slightly overgrown.
I was sitting in our home office looking out the window one day and I noticed two high schoolers pushing a mower down the sidewalk. I asked my dad, “Where are they going?” He replied, “They started a lawn care business and get paid to cut Dave's lawn down the street.” A light bulb went off in my head and I immediately decided that I wanted to start my own lawn company so that I could save up money to buy my own iPad. I printed off flyers that my mom helped me make that read, “Jacob’s Lawn Service, cuts starting at $20.” I took the whole day walking up and down the neighborhood knocking on doors using my best sales voice until I finally got my first customer! It was an older couple who was fed up with cutting their own lawn. I walked my mower down the street every Saturday morning at 10:00am to mow the couples lawn. I slowly accumulated enough money to buy my first iPad. After I achieved my goal, I kept the company running while doubling in customers, equipment, and revenue every year. Since founding the company in 2012, Jacob’s Lawn Service LLC services over 200 customers, owns three trucks, a trailer, and four commercial lawn mowers. Also, I employ two full-time adults to work while I’m attending school and playing football. This year my company is projected to gross over six figures in revenue and shows no signs of slowing down.
Some people may be jealous, others may be inspired, but I am very proud of what I have been able to accomplish at age 18. I have turned a dreadful task for some into a passion. If my dad never allowed me to cut the grass that day, I may well be writing about something completely different. I guess what my dad says is true, “If you never try, you will never know.”
An activity that started out as a weekly chore soon became the highlight of my week. I was very entertained and intrigued by the art of a well-maintained lawn. I spent countless hours shadowing my dad in every activity he did outside. I became a sponge soaking up every detail. At the time, I was probably the only eight year old who knew exactly what to do if grass tips were brown or if the bushes were slightly overgrown.
I was sitting in our home office looking out the window one day and I noticed two high schoolers pushing a mower down the sidewalk. I asked my dad, “Where are they going?” He replied, “They started a lawn care business and get paid to cut Dave's lawn down the street.” A light bulb went off in my head and I immediately decided that I wanted to start my own lawn company so that I could save up money to buy my own iPad. I printed off flyers that my mom helped me make that read, “Jacob’s Lawn Service, cuts starting at $20.” I took the whole day walking up and down the neighborhood knocking on doors using my best sales voice until I finally got my first customer! It was an older couple who was fed up with cutting their own lawn. I walked my mower down the street every Saturday morning at 10:00am to mow the couples lawn. I slowly accumulated enough money to buy my first iPad. After I achieved my goal, I kept the company running while doubling in customers, equipment, and revenue every year. Since founding the company in 2012, Jacob’s Lawn Service LLC services over 200 customers, owns three trucks, a trailer, and four commercial lawn mowers. Also, I employ two full-time adults to work while I’m attending school and playing football. This year my company is projected to gross over six figures in revenue and shows no signs of slowing down.
Some people may be jealous, others may be inspired, but I am very proud of what I have been able to accomplish at age 18. I have turned a dreadful task for some into a passion. If my dad never allowed me to cut the grass that day, I may well be writing about something completely different. I guess what my dad says is true, “If you never try, you will never know.”