What is the name of your landscaping business?

Strain Lawn Care and Landscape

Why did you start your business?

I just wanted something different. I wanted to make money, and no jobs were available. At 12 it’s hard to get a job because no one will hire that young. When I was 12 years old I just started knocking on the doors in my neighborhood and everything around me. I had a couple people help me out. My friends work for me so they help me with what needs to be done.

What services do you provide?

I do landscape remodeling, hedge trimming, aeration, weekly lawn care and street removals. We also do clean up for mulching and more things like that. It depends on what it is, but for an average yard, it will cost between $40-$50.

What are your hours?

Every day after school, but if we have a big job, I’ll work on the weekends. We do our lawns then a big landscaping projects. During the week we will do mainly lawns and some smaller projects if there is time. During summer, spring, and fall break we do more lawns but even bigger landscaping projects since we have more time. We get a lot of phone calls from people who want to know more about the business. We get about two phone calls a day, just for jobs.

How do you balance school and your business?

I’d say pretty well. I come home after school and do my homework if I have any. I mainly finish it in class or study hall. Then I go and work. Sometimes it’s especially overwhelming during spring rush. That’s on spring break. Spring break is a really busy time because everyone is trying to make their houses look good. We get a lot more of the bigger jobs. It’s a bit chaotic but we get through it.

What is the best and worst thing about your business since starting?

I’d say probably my friends working for me is one of the best things. I get to be their boss but we still have fun on the job. It’s a good time. The worst thing, I would say, is marketing. A lot of people are in this business and you have to set yourself apart. Trying out different ways to advertise your business is hard because people need to have different ideas. The best way to start is with door knocking and professional door handle hangers.

What do you hope to accomplish with your business?

I hope to build up my business so I have more experience to do what I actually want to do. I want to start a home building business or an excavation business by the time I’m about 25.