March Sweepstakes Winner – American-owned, American-operated

LAPLATA, Md. – For the past five years, Joe Padgett, owner, J.J. Lawn Service, Laplata, Md., has been advertising his lawn maintenance company as “American-owned, American-operated.” The slogan has always caught clients’ attention, but it has particularly helped boost business since the events of September 11. “People are taking the idea of ‘American-owned’ a little more seriously now,” he noted.

With the increased business, Padgett had intended to purchase some new equipment, including a lawn tractor and a string trimmer. However, as the winner of a new Husqvarna trimmer as part of Lawn & Landscape's March online sweepstakes, Padgett can cross at least one equipment expense off his list.

Padgett originally formed J.J. Lawn Service 15 years ago when a friend of his decided to give up his landscaping business. “I was cutting grass part-time, and a friend decided to go out of business,” he said. “My friend gave me all of his accounts and we went full-time with lawn care.”

Today, the company still services 90 percent of those original accounts, reporting about $60,000 in annual revenue. Padgett explained that his clients are split between commercial and residential properties.

Padgett’s wife Jo takes care of most of the office responsibilities – the second “J” in J.J. Lawn Service. Meanwhile, two employees assist Padgett with work in the field.

Although the company has remained small over the past decade and a half, Padgett predicts some growth over the next season, especially as clients increasingly respect the “American-operated” aspect of J.J. Lawn Service. Padgett plans to use his new string trimmer to assist with the company’s expansion. “I’ve never won anything in my life,” he admitted. “But right now the business is growing and we’re already doing a lot better than last year.”

Click here to enter the Lawn & Landscape April online sweepstakes.

The author is Assistant Editor – Internet of Lawn & Landscape magazine.