A family-owned business in Sweetser, Ind., is beginning to expand with the aim of getting into different projects year-round.
Sweetser Maintenance, formerly known as Sweetser Lawn Care until about a year ago, was started by Robert Younce in 1986.
Robert said he started the business as a part-time lawn care service because he saw a need for it in the community and wanted to give his son, Steve, something to do during high school.
In 1990, Steve took over the business. He now offers lawn care maintenance, landscaping, reseeding of existing yards and putting grass on new lawns. In the fall he offers leaf removal and in the winter offers snow removal, he said.
Steve said he hopes to get into other things, such as parking lot sweeps and building maintenance.
“Business has been pretty good,” Steve said. “There were a couple times last summer when we were a little slow due to dry weather, but we picked up a few landscaping jobs instead.”
Steve said although he has jobs year-round, his busiest season begins in April. It hasn’t slowed down since last year because of all the snow this winter.
“For the past three weeks, we have been preparing for the season by picking up sticks, trash and debris from the winter,” Steve said. “We are also working on servicing our equipment by changing the oil and blades and getting our trucks and trailers ready.”
The economy hasn’t affected the maintenance business, but it has become more expensive for him because of the high gas prices. For the month of February, Steve used $5,000 in gas for his machinery and trucks. A few years ago, the price was half that, he said.
Steve said overall, it’s pretty hard work but he loves the job.
“I enjoy doing it a lot because you get to do different jobs throughout the year,” Steve said. “It’s not the constant day by day stuff.”
Robert said Steve has improved the business and built it up quite a bit since he owned it.
“He went from mowing a few yards to creating a full-time job and has created a service to the community and a livelihood for him and his family,” Robert said. “I am not shocked with how well it’s doing because Steve makes sure the job gets done and done right.”
Steve thinks he might pass the business down another generation, to his son, Cody, 18, who also works for the company.