Building something from nothing

Mothers commonly volunteer their ten-year-old sons to help a neighbor with yard work; however when Suzanne Chiles volunteered her son, Wesley, little did she know she’d planted the seed that would blossom into Wesley’s passion and profession. Normally ten-year-olds might grumble at the thought of work, but Wesley welcomed the opportunity… and the $35 his neighbor paid him every other week.

“The money was exciting to receive but not the reason I worked,” says Chiles, who notes his family was so strapped for cash they didn’t even own a lawn mower. “Mom and Dad needed the money to help pay bills,” Chiles says. “The lady bought a push mower, and I cut her grass every other week. I worked because I enjoyed it. There is nothing like doing something for someone who appreciates it.”

More than money. Unbeknown to Chiles, he started building his career that first day of mowing. The next year, Chiles made his first business purchase – a weedeater, which increased his pay to $50 every other week. When he was 12 years old, Chiles purchased his first lawn mower. Two years later, he financed his first truck and a $13,000 commercial mower to replace his old one. At age 16, he purchased his first tractor the same week he got his driver’s license.

“My mom always told me if you do something, do it right or don’t do it at all,” says Chiles, who is (and always has been) more interested in his quality of work. “I took a lot of pride in my work and wanted to be respected as a professional, not just some kid making a quick buck doing half-way work,” he says.

“I made my first business card when I was 10.” In addition, the young entrepreneur also purchased an insurance policy, company shirts, and a business phone, and obtained a website, an email address, generated flyers and did whatever else he thought real businesses did. “My professional development became a major aspect of my life,” he adds. “That type of spirit is in my blood. My grandparents on both sides of my family were farmers who worked hard. My Granddaddy Chiles was one heck of a business man. If he could turn a dollar, he would.”

But as always, money (though it was very important) wasn’t the only objective. Respect among his peers, fellow professionals, and potential clientele was of utmost importance to Chiles. “It is easy for a competitor to say ‘He’s just a kid. He doesn’t know what he is doing,” says Chiles. “I decided to overcome that by being as mature and professional as possible.”

In 2010, Chiles Enterprises generated revenue of $89,000. In 2011, his company pushed through the $100,000 ceiling, and in 2012, they spiked to more than $160,000 and now employs four people.

“The rate of growth is pretty exciting,” Chiles says.

Religion and academics. But it hasn’t always been a bed of roses (no pun intended). Chiles recalls times when his business felt financially unstable and even on the verge of collapse.

“There have been times I had things break down and couldn’t afford to fix it, equipment on the verge of repossession, and times I was close to having customers sue me,” he says. “Financially it has sometimes been tough.” But Chiles says the fact he is doing what he loves keeps him going.

Chiles’ faith, which is what he focuses on when things get tough, is another important aspect of his life and his company. “I use my business as a ministry,” says Chiles, who says treating people right and conducting good business is not only his way of ministering but also his way of giving back to his community.

“There are so many people we help every day that need us and appreciate what we do for them,” Chiles says. “There are employees that consider this their livelihood and enjoy coming to work. I think about these things more than anything.”

Chiles, who received his Associate’s degree in turfgrass and landscape management from Virginia Tech in 2012, is currently an Agribusiness major in the Agriculture and Applied Economics Department at Virginia Tech.

He’s steering clear of heavier course loads so he can simultaneously focus on growing his company. Once he achieves his bachelors degree, Chiles has his sites set on his masters as well as other seminars, certifications and licensing he can pursue to drive his business’ success forward. “I believe learning is a life-long process,” he adds.

To those young guns out there who are interesting in following the footsteps of Chiles and many other young agripreneurs, Chiles offers some simple advice: “Work because you are utilizing your God-given talents and find fulfillment in doing that – not making money,” he says. “It is important to be profitable, but that’s not what should drive you to do your job.”

Chiles also reminds new young agripreneurs to carry themselves with pride regardless of unchangeable variables. “Let factors you are able to change, like your actions, create your reputation,” he says. “Not factors you can’t change, like your age.”

As for his company, Chiles wants to continue to provide quality services as well as offer quality employment opportunities with good pay and room for advancement. In addition, he wants to better utilize technology to enhance efficiency and quality of work environment.

“You have to keep looking forward and put plans in place that foster growth,” he says. “I can visualize the company’s continued success, and it’s exciting to imagine where we are headed.”