Business #1: John Erbert

So the adventure starts. Here is my first interview for the blog. Enjoy...

Business #1…Erbert Lawns: John Erbert.
Littleton, Colorado
303.948.6631
http://www.erbertlawns.com/


When you are asked what you do for a living, what do you say?
John: I mow lawns for a living. I don’t like to make it sound too glamorous. Some people ask more about it, and others just leave it at that.

Year you started your business: 1982

Original name: 2-Easy Lawn Care, then changed to Easy Lawn Care, then changed to JD Erbert Co., then became what is now Erbert Lawns.

What made you start your business?
John: I was 12, and my parents were only willing to buy me necessities. I can remember it like it was yesterday. Miami Vice was big, and I wanted a Don Johnson, white jacket. My dad told me if I came up with half of it, he would help me buy it. I also wanted a water bed. He split that with me too.

What was challenging when you first started?
John: I could only cut lawns within a few blocks of my house, and I wanted do more lawns. So I had my dad help me build a trailer for a three wheel bicycle that could move all my equipment. After a week, I realized it was too heavy. My dad then helped me buy a 10 speed bike and convert it, with it’s gears into the three wheeler. Then I could use the gears to go up the hills. Eventually I bought a truck to move my equipment, but I could not drive it. I wasn’t old enough. I had to hire someone that had a license.

How big is your business today?
John: We cup about 800 lawns a week.

What services do you provide?
John: We mow, fertilize, and aerate. That’s it.

As a business owner, what is your biggest headache?
John: Managing people: customers and employees.

What excites you about being an entrepreneur?
John: 1) Freedom to do what I want, when I want.
2) The challenges that arises every day to organize the resources.
It would be boring it there weren’t new daily challenges. I like the analogy of the kite: A kite soars because it has resistance.

What is you long term Vision for you company?
John: Significant growth, but not for growth or financial reasons. I want to have locations in multiple states for the challenges that it will create.

What is it going to take to accomplish that?
John: Funds to set up the branches and pay for marketing, and it will take attracting talent.

What advice would you give to a new or aspiring entrepreneur?
John: Keep it to two things: Focus and determination.

I want to thank John for being my very first business owner to interview. I know you will continue to succeed in your business because you do have great focus and determination to do whatever you set your mind on.

Until next time, enjoy the adventure and Belay On!