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MEET FRANK

Ownership/Entrepreneurship SAE in Action

How did you start your SAE?

One of my weekly chores was to mow my family’s lawn. Our neighbor saw me mowing one day and asked if I could mow their lawn as well. I figured this would be a great opportunity for the future because one of my goals after high school is to own my own business. I started small, mowing only a few lawns my first year. When my agricultural education instructor saw my progress, she suggested I take the next step and move my Ownership SAE to an Entrepreneurship SAE. I created a Business Plan to mar-ket my services, add employees and equipment and track my return on investments. Before the next summer ended, I had 15 new customers and expanded the services I offered.

What do you enjoy most about your SAE?

The best part about my SAE is the opportunity to create relationships and network with my customers. Many of the customers I work for each week have busy lives. I provide them a valuable service–more time with their family and loved ones. After mowing their lawns for a while, my customers began to ask me questions about their yards and landscaping. I found myself using information I learned from my horticulture and landscape design classes to help my customers in new ways. I love helping them enhance the aesthetic value of their property!

I never thought mowing my lawn as a weekly chore would turn into a growing business I enjoy. [It] has become not only an SAE and business, but a hobby of mine!

I never thought mowing my lawn as a weekly chore would turn into a growing business I enjoy. [It] has become not only an SAE and business, but a hobby of mine!

In what other ways has your SAE changed over time?

After receiving positive customer feedback about my landscaping advice, I decided to expand my Business Plan. In addition to mowing, I now offer my customers landscape design, plant selection and regular maintenance services. My most active seasons are spring, summer and part of fall. During the winter months, I spend time drawing landscape de-signs and carefully selecting the best plants for my customers’ yards. I also spend a lot of time documenting my expenses and income to keep track of my growth. To market my business, I hand out brochures explaining what services I offer and reviews from previous customers.

What are your future plans?

I never thought mowing my lawn as a weekly chore would turn into a growing business I enjoy. Landscape design and maintenance has become not only an SAE and business, but a hobby of mine! I think landscaping and lawn maintenance is something I want to pursue as a full-time career. After high school, I plan to expand my Business Plan and attend college part-time to study landscape architecture.

Have your own SAE story to tell?

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Have your own SAE story to tell?

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