Landscape Contractor's Job is a Dream Come True

Joostberns, 39, owns J&R Lawn and Home Care with his wife, Joene. The family business has more that 40 lawn-care contracts during the summer and contracts with businesses for snow removal in the winter.

He also does household handyman work.

He worked for United Parcel Service for 17 years before starting his own business during his last two years at the package-delivery company.

Joostberns said it allows him time to get to his kids' activities. His children are Jennifer, Rachel and Kameron, and Joostberns is active in their sports, including being a baseball and football coach.

In the following conversation, he explains how being a business owner has changed his life:

What do you like most about owning a business? "There are a lot of headaches, but it's a lot better being your own boss. I like to have things done the right way. Plus, I can make my own schedule."

What about being the boss gives you the worst headache? "Relying on mother nature. We have to count on the weather 100 percent. This year the rain has kept everything growing and we've been busy on lawns every week. Last year it was every two weeks and that was for the people who were watering their lawns."

Overall, how is the lawn care and snow removal business? "I've been pretty lucky. I've got good employees, and this is way better than I ever expected. The money isn't the same as it was at UPS, but money's not everything. This was one of my dreams, and I'm satisfied."

Has it changed your life? "Yes. Where I worked before, I would never have been able to coach my kid's games. I can be my own boss here. It was sort of like that before because I drove a truck, and I miss the friendships I made with people there. But I've made friendships with people here, too. My wife tells me all the time that I could be making more money on certain work I do, but part of that is I like to do things for people. I just make it reasonable for people."

So do you have any other entrepreneur dreams you'd like to accomplish? "I'd like to open a breakfast and lunch cafe¢ one day, and place all sorts of UPS paraphernalia in it. It would be in a location where all the drivers from there could stop off in the morning and get coffee. I only want it to be breakfast and lunch so I could golf all afternoon."

What types of things do you do for fun, other than golf? "I'm a big Battle Creek Yankees fan. I also like to fish. In two weeks, I'm going on a fishing trip for two weeks in Canada. I also enjoy softball and baseball -- anything with the kids and my wife."