Grass Barbers started as me just trying earn a bit of extra money by doing some lawn care services for my neighbours. I quickly realized that a lot of people need help maintaining and elevating their lawns, and that there is an opportunity here. I started expanding beyond my neighbourhood, and beyond the typical lawnmowing and raking services.

I had to overcome many fears at this stage; mainly that of going door to door and trying to pitch my services. Every time I walked up to a door, I felt a sense of anxiety and fear that I was bothering someone, or that they would not be interested, and it would all end in rejection.

After hundreds of reps, I began to change my belief systems and overcome my fears. After thousands of reps, I actually started liking doing it, and it became fun. I took this opportunity to practice my sales, and soon enough my schedule was quickly overflowing.

At this stage, I realized that I have to expand my business. I brought on a friend, and then eventually a small team. We had to become experts at the services we were providing, ensuring that we provide the highest quality service for our customers.

So I went to work on taking the next step – The Growth Phase: Here I started developing systems and strategies that worked: I devised a handbook for door to door sales for my new team members, I planned a referral program to engage with more potential customers, I built our branding and advertising; printing hundreds of posters and business cards, and I started to secure bigger contracts for repeat customers. Very quickly I was leading a team of 5 people and had a very packed schedule to manage.  

This was all so exciting, and kind of scary at the same time.

I continued to knock on doors, make sales, manage my team, and help people get the lawn of their dreams.

Eventually, fall came around, the weather got cold and there was no more services we could perform. So, we packed it up, and called it a summer.

Then next spring came along and I went right back at it again. This time I knew what I was doing a lot better, I had experienced the lessons and inefficiencies of the year before, and I knew that this was a real opportunity to have an even better season. And so we did. We had angreat season, made a lot of money, left a lot of people with a smile on their face, and learned so much about business, teamwork, communication, sales, marketing, and everything else in between.

I cherished this opportunity deeply, but ultimately, I decided to hang up my hat from the lawncare industry, and return back to school.

I still think about that business often. It taught me what’s possible when you lean into discomfort, take initiative, and care deeply about the people you serve.