What does it take to keep a lawn care business moving forward when life throws its toughest challenges your way?
In this episode of the GreenPal Lawn Care Business Growth Show, Gene Caballero sits down with Jonathan Keene, owner of Rock Solid Lawncare, to discuss his remarkable journey of resilience, determination, and business growth. Just two months after launching his company in 2019, Jonathan experienced a life-changing accident that resulted in the loss of his leg. Instead of giving up, he found a way to keep building his business.
Today, Rock Solid Lawncare services homeowners and commercial properties throughout Southern Illinois and the greater St. Louis region. Jonathan shares the realities of growing a lawn care company, managing employees, building route density, pricing services profitably, and staying motivated through difficult seasons.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- How Jonathan rebuilt his business after a life-changing injury
- The steps he took to grow from startup to 80+ lawns per week
- Why hiring and retaining quality employees remains one of the biggest challenges in lawn care
- Residential and commercial pricing strategies that work
- How COVID-19 impacted his business growth
- Tips for managing crews during extreme summer heat
- Common mistakes homeowners make when hiring lawn care providers
- Why choosing the cheapest contractor can become the most expensive decision
- The mindset required to survive and succeed in entrepreneurship
Jonathan also shares candid stories about working through adversity, cycling through dozens of employees, balancing family life, and building a company he hopes to pass on to his sons one day.
One of the most memorable takeaways from this conversation:
"Pick your hard. Working for somebody else is hard. Sitting in a cubicle is hard. Everything's hard. You've got to pick your hard."
Whether you're a lawn care professional, landscaper, small business owner, or entrepreneur looking for inspiration, this episode delivers practical lessons on perseverance, leadership, and long-term business growth.
Subscribe to the GreenPal Lawn Care Business Growth Show for real conversations with lawn care professionals sharing proven strategies for building successful service businesses.