Career Change

Why Lawn Care?

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Why Lawn Care

Are you considering starting your own business? Franchising could be the option for you! Become a part of an already-established company in the green industry. But, why lawn care?

A greater percentage of homeowners are hiring professional lawn and landscape maintenance companies. Dual income families and maturing Baby Boomers alike, people with more disposable income, are employing the services of the green industry so they can spend more time enjoying life and to ease the burdens of maintaining their homes. In addition to the increased priority of living life to the fullest, consumers are starting to recognize the value of a home lawn and a professionally maintained one at that! Many “do-it-yourselfers” are proof enough – the price of the products, the hassle of mixing and applying those products and, of course, the angst of uncertain results are all viable factors as to why Weed Man services over 350,000 customers. A lush and healthy turf also promotes a healthy environment and can even increase the value of a home, further increasing the demand for our services.

As a Weed Man franchisee, you’ll have access to our proven business model, exclusive software, an unparalleled support system and so much more! You’ll have all of the tools required to take advantage of the success the green industry is seeing. Not to mention, you can count on majority of your customers automatically renewing their contract with you each year, providing you and your business with recurring revenues and allowing the company to focus marketing efforts on net growth rather than repeat sales, leaving you with the confidence of knowing your business is constantly expanding.

And despite the ongoing vulnerability of the economy, our business plan is as recession-resistant as possible. Lawn care services continue to be a desired service by many homeowners. Across all demographics, consumers understand the value of a healthy looking lawn and our services allot for only a small slice of -the average consumer’s disposable income. While nothing is 100% recession-proof, many of our franchisees have flourished during recessions.

Join Weed Man today! For more information on opportunities in your area, visit us at www.weedmanfranchise.com or call 888-321-9333.

Franchisee Success Profile: Andy Kurth

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Andy Kurth

FRANCHISEE SUCCESS PROFILE: ANDY KURTH

Market: Madison, Wisconsin

Number of Locations: 6

Education: I attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and received my degree in Soil Science with an emphasis in Turf Management and Agri-business.

Career Background: I got involved in the lawn care business starting in high school. During the summers, I worked for a company full-time installing irrigation systems. I began attending college right around the same time that my father purchased his first Weed Man location in Madison and I spent my summers working for him. It was great to begin that way with the company because I was able to learn many different roles within the business. After college I began working full-time for Weed Man selling franchises. Then by chance, I was given the opportunity to work as a Sales Manager in my dad’s office, which I did for a couple more years before I was promoted to General Manager. Today, I am the president for our six offices in the Midwest.

How has your father influenced you as a business leader? My father Terry Kurth has been a great resource and someone that I go to simply to bounce ideas off of. I worked alongside my dad and together we grew our Weed Man from one location to six through building positive relationships with employees and customers. He is a great communicator, which is one of the areas where I try to model my leadership from the example he set. I’m very thankful that he allowed me the freedom to run the business my way and allowed me to make some mistakes along the way. Now that my dad has stepped back a little from the business I feel much more confident making decisions that impact the business because I have those personal experience to draw on. But there are still times when I need his advice and he’s always willing to help when I ask for it.

What are you most proud of so far as a Weed Man franchisee? Being able to provide opportunities for advancement to our most valuable team members and show how much we appreciate their dedication.  We work hard on generating a culture of talent development. When I took an operational role, I wanted to provide our team with a bigger vision of where we can go and who is going to help us get where we want to be. I truly believe that the backbone of this country is the small business because we are providing people within the community with an opportunity to give back to the communities in which they live. It’s amazing to think that we’ve been able to serve 16,000 customers in the past year and hire nearly 300 employees to help take our business to the next level.

Another proud moment for me and my team was receiving an American flag from an Iraq war veteran. While serving his 5th tour in Iraq we volunteered through an organization to care for his lawn so his family would have one less worry while he was away. One day he surprised us at the office with an American flag that had been flown in their camp in honor of our service to his family. The flag hangs in my office as a reminder of the impact that we are making every day.

What’s next for you and your franchise? The efforts at developing our team and providing them with new opportunities is starting to pay off. We put our valued team members in a position to expand into Texas and Colorado this year. We’ll be working on ways our team can stay informed and work together even though our network is a lot more spread out. It’s a great challenge to have and we look forward to leading the way in developing new systems and processes to accelerate our expansion.

If you are interested in learning more about franchise opportunities in your area, visit us at www.weedmanfranchise.com or call 888-321-9333.

Top 10 Reasons to Invest in a Weed Man Franchise

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There are many perks to franchising, especially with Weed Man! Check out our Top 10 Reasons to Invest in a Weed Man Franchise.

Brand Awareness

One of the most obvious reasons why franchising is a better option than starting from the bottom, is the fact that you’re buying into an already-established brand. Weed Man has been around for over 45 years. We are the fastest growing lawn care franchise in North America, having added 40+ territories to our roster in 2015 alone.

Proven Systems

With a strong brand and 45 years in the industry, comes a lot of conceiving and testing our systems. We are constantly innovating to provide our customers and franchisees with the most efficient and effective way of doing things. We offer Weed Man owners proprietary software and extensive business planning to ensure nothing but success.

Easier to Obtain Financing

With an extremely thorough business plan, obtaining financing is much easier. Don’t believe us? Listen to this testimonial where Brandon Burns, owner of Weed Man Arlington Heights, IL discusses his experience with applying for financing.

Track Record of Success

Weed Man has a great reputation in the franchise industry. Entrepreneur has ranked Weed Man the #1 Franchise in Lawn Care and we have also been named One of the Best Franchises to Buy by Forbes magazine. Over the 45 years in operation, we have witnessed several franchisees become successful and with our exponential growth and continuous innovation, we don’t plan on slowing down anytime soon.

Extensive Training Provided

When a new franchisee comes aboard, Weed Man hosts extensive training at our corporate headquarters located in Oshawa, Ontario. Everything from administration to marketing to technical and agronomics is covered. Meet the entire head office staff and learn more about why the Weed Man opportunity is so great!

Ongoing Support

New franchisee training isn’t the last you’ll hear from head office. The Weed Man team and your local sub-franchisor are always just a phone call or email away. Not to mention, when you invest in Weed Man, you are part of a family. Your fellow franchisees would be happy to lend a hand, if ever needed.

Marketing Assistance

Need help creating a marketing piece? Contact us! Need help with your social media efforts? We’re here for you. Interested in gaining some PR for your local initiative? No problem! Whatever your need, the Weed Man team is here to support you and the success of your business.

Purchasing Power

Purchasing power is a big advantage of buying into a big franchise such as Weed Man. We have approved vendors for just about everything new Weed Man owners require. When supplying for more than 455 territories, the savings are tremendous.

Hard Work is Rewarded

At Weed Man, we strive to be successful and when our franchisees do a great job, we let them know. Celebrating hard work is important and a great motivator for anyone. In addition to celebrating your everyday successes, we also distribute several awards at our Annual Conference and announce when a franchisee has become a part of our network’s coveted ‘Million Dollar Club.’

Exclusive Territory and Option to Own Multiple Locations

Weed Man has franchises across the country and is even sold out in Canada! When you join the Weed Man team, you invest in your own, exclusive territory, which typically services around 150,000 people. You also have the ability to buy more than one territory. In fact, most Weed Man owners start out with at least two. Want to expand in a different market? No problem! Become a multi-unit franchisee today!

For more information on franchise opportunities in your area, visit us at www.weedmanfranchise.com or call us at 888-321-9333.

Top 10 Reasons to Invest in a Weed Man Franchise

Weed Man’s Reputation

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With over 45 years of experience in the industry, Weed Man has always strived to give customers a beautiful and healthy lawn to enjoy. Not only do our integrated services provide peace of mind, but also result in increased property values. We know lawn care and we tailor our programs for each individual green space.

In everything we do, there are systems based upon measurable results, which have been tested, improved and ultimately proven to increase efficiency and profitability. Proprietary software and algorithms have also been created to ensure ease of operation and uniformity in the measurement of our franchisees’ results.

In addition to our experience as a company, our proven systems and ease of operation, the entire Weed Man organization is completely dedicated to providing franchisees with the best possible opportunity available. We’ve developed extensive training programs and have an unparalleled support network. Every Weed Man franchisee is supported by their local and experiences franchisor who serves as a personal consultant and mentor, providing experience, guidance and encouragement along the way.

With all of this in mind, there’s no doubting how we have achieved such a phenomenal reputation in the industry. Last year we were named One of the Best Franchises to Buy by Forbes magazine and year after year, Entrepreneur has named us the #1 Franchise in Lawn Care on the Franchise 500® list. In fact, Weed Man has jumped 5 spots from 2014 and a whopping 305 spots since 2009.

Weed Man's Reputation.jpg

Finishing up last year with $84 million in annual system sales, it is evident that our franchisees have been working hard and achieving success in their businesses. But, that doesn’t mean there isn’t room to grow! We plan to hit the $100 million mark by the end of this year. Are you interested in helping us meet our goal and making a name for yourself? We have many opportunities available across the U.S. Call us today at 888-321-9333 for more information, or visit us at www.weedmanfranchise.com.

>> View our franchising video below!

 

Top 10 Tips for Running a Successful Business

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Have a vision. Most entrepreneurs have a vision prior to just up and starting a business, whether it a passion for something or a dream of leaving a legacy for their children. In order to be successful as a business owner, you must have a vision for your business and for your future.

Believe in what you’re selling. So many people make the mistake of starting a business that they’re not passionate about. If you don’t believe in what you’re selling, your customers won’t believe it in either. Love what you do and live what you love.

Focus on finding the right talent for your company. Finding star talent can be difficult, but if you put in the leg work now, it will pay off in the future. Remember, quality is better than quantity. Take the time to find great employees, rather than struggling with employee retention down the road.

Take the time to train your employees. Once you’ve started building your team, don’t forget to train, train, train. Knowledge is power and if your employees are confident in their role, customers will notice and be more confident in what they are buying. Don’t forget to motivate your staff as well. Keep the morale high by offering positive feedback, incentives and even promotions!

Take care of yourself. Being the business owner, it is imperative that you keep yourself and your family happy and healthy. Exercise, eat right and spend time with your family and friends. Encouraging your employees to do the same will benefit not only themselves, but your company as a whole.

Network. It is so important to network within your community, with customers, potential customers and even possible business partners. Keep an open mind and make a great reputation for yourself and your company. Not only will it look good on you, but it will also help business.

Put yourself in your customers’ shoes. Offering great customer service is imperative to running a successful business. If a customer has a complaint, suggestion and/or concern – listen to them, help them and put yourself in their shoes to really better the situation.

Be creative. Marketing plays a large role in the success of any business. Be creative with your efforts and utilize as many avenues as possible – social media, Internet, print, radio, public outreach, community events – you won’t know if it works until you try!

Be consistent and realistic. Remember, starting your own business is not a get-rich-quick solution. Building a successful business takes time. Be consistent with your efforts and realistic with your vision for the future.

Franchise. Franchising is a great alternative to starting your own business from the ground up. Weed Man knows our competition and we know how to excel in the green industry. We have been doing what we do for over 45 years, have a great reputation, a diverse skill set and a business model that has been practised and proven to be effective.

Looking to expand your current business or make a career change? Find out if Weed Man is right for you: call 1-888-321-9333 or visit www.weedmanfranchise.com. 

Why to Invest in a Franchise

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Franchising is in a class all of its own. Many people overlook franchise opportunities because they assume they won’t be in charge of their own business, but Weed Man franchisees are a great testament to how effective franchising is and how it can change someone’s life.

We have many Success Stories to tell. In fact, you can find our latest, written on Weed Man Fresno owner Jeff Kollenkark right here. Many other satisfied franchisees’ testimonials can be found on our website as well!

People typically will go into business for themselves because they get to call the shots and be their own boss, enjoy the convenience of having a flexible schedule, provide jobs within their communities and build a legacy for their family. With franchising, all of these things can be accomplished – you’re just not doing it alone. Here’s Why to Invest in a Franchise.

  1. An incredibly knowledgeable support system. The Weed Man family is made up of industry professionals who have decades of experience in lawn care or other related industries, such as landscaping and pest control.
  2. You don’t have to start from scratch. Weed Man was established over 45 years ago. Our systems have been practised, proven and improved over the years.
  3. New to entrepreneurship? We provide extensive 10-day training at our corporate office for all new Weed Man franchisees.
  4. With a proven business model and extensive business plan, Weed Man franchises are more likely to gain financing from financial institutions, as opposed to start-ups.
  5. Purchasing power. Need we say more?
  6. Weed Man has secured over $140 million in system sales, due to our franchisees’ hard work and commitment to the brand – numbers don’t lie!
  7. Lastly, Weed Man has an amazing reputation in the green industry, and more specifically in the franchising side of things. Recently, yet again, Weed Man made Entrepreneur’s Top 10 List. Weed Man has also been ranked by Forbes as One of the Best Franchises to Buy.

If you are interested in learning more about franchise opportunities in your area, visit us at www.weedmanfranchise.com or call us at 888-321-9333.

7291 Mike in Front of Trucks

Better Your Business with Weed Man!

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Feel like your business is running you and not the other way around? You’re not alone! According to Forbes, eight out of ten businesses ultimately fail. Possessing that initial desire to become an entrepreneur is great, but there are a number of other things that contribute to being successful in your venture. Businesses can fail for a number of reasons, including anything from not having an effective business plan in place, which will result in not generating enough revenue to stay afloat, to lack of uniqueness and not having enough brand recognition in order to stand out among competitors. Luckily for struggling entrepreneurs, there are solutions that can help revive a business that is suffering.

If you own a lawn, landscape and/or pest control business, Weed Man could be that solution. We have helped thousands of business owners better their business and increase their bottom line. As a franchise, we have had years to perfect our business model. We have systems for just about everything, including administrative, technical and budgeting (to name a few). The Weed Man brand is very well-known across North America, thanks to our great reputation – recently we were named One of the Best Franchises to Buy by Forbes magazine and have also been ranked the #1 Franchise in Lawn Care by Entrepreneur. Not to mention, our commitment to customer service has served us well, with an impressive customer retention rate of 75-80%. We offer unparalleled support provided by a knowledgeable corporate staff, as well as a remarkable group of regional consultants. Cross-marketing opportunities are available, which can help companies bring new customers on board. Regardless of your industry background, we can help you achieve your entrepreneurial aspirations. Our award-winning systems and recession-resistant business model have led to substantial, year-over-year growth for our franchisees, no matter the economy.

If you are interested in bettering your business and securing your future and retirement plans, Weed Man could be for you! Visit us at www.weedmanfranchise.com for additional information, or give us a call at 1-888-321-9333. We look forward to hearing from you!

Business Up to Speed - Speedometer Measures Growth

Behind the Scenes: Turning Prospects into Success Stories

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Lately, it seems as though we have been writing one Success Profile after another when it comes to Weed Man USA franchisees (click here for one of our latest profiles). Of course, we’re not complaining, but it is likely that a lot of our readers wonder just how we do it! Well, there are many different factors that contribute to our company’s overall success, but prior to success comes finding the right people, building a relationship and introducing the many facets of our award-winning franchise system. Let’s take a deeper look at the behind-the-scenes of turning prospects into success stories, and all that goes into providing Weed Man USA franchisees with the smoothest possible path to success.

Finding Valuable Prospects

We receive a number of leads per week, from people who are interested in investing in Weed Man. As well as receiving an influx of incoming leads, we also put a lot of effort into targeting existing lawn, landscape and pest control business owners, offering them a great opportunity to diversify their services. We reach out to potential prospects by using various social media outlets, attending networking events and trade shows, such as the Green Industry Expo, as well as carrying out calling and direct mail campaigns, among other things.

Why Franchise?

Weed Man franchisees enjoy exclusive rights to the territory or territories they invest in. We also provide franchisees with an exclusive computer system, effective marketing systems, and dominant purchasing power. We are an award-winning franchise network and have an excellent reputation as well. Did you know Weed Man USA was named One of the Best Franchises to Buy, by Forbes?

Mutual Investigation

Next, comes the beginning of a usually long, but informative process. Various phone calls are scheduled with a Weed Man USA franchise consultant, in order to determine whether the opportunity is a good fit for both parties. This is an imperative part of the overall process, as prospects are asked questions regarding their current career and finances. Our franchise consultant also takes the time to get to know prospects on a more personal level. Prospects are also encouraged to ask us questions in order to learn more about Weed Man and the opportunity as a whole.

Talking Testimonials

Once the various stages of the mutual investigation process are complete, we suggest prospects contact existing Weed Man USA franchisees, to gain an even better understanding of what the company is all about. Written testimonials are great, however speaking with a successful franchisee is even better! For the same reason, our franchise consultant will then set-up a meeting with Weed Man USA’s COO Jennifer Lemcke and/or the appropriate franchisor, to finalize the process.

Comprehensive Training

Once the decision has been made to hop aboard the Weed Man train, new franchisees will attend a 10-day training session held at Weed Man USA’s corporate office in Ontario, Canada, addressing all aspects of business operations, including administration, technical, marketing, business planning and budgeting.

It Doesn’t Stop There

Inevitably, the success of a Weed Man franchise really is dependent on a franchisee’s commitment and dedication to their business. At the same time though, ongoing support is a great benefit of partnering with us. Our team of regional franchisors includes some of the biggest names in the green industry. They are never more than a phone call away, and are always ready to provide franchisees with expert consultation as their company takes off. If franchisees ever require a refresher, they are always welcome to attend additional training sessions at our corporate office. Our franchisees are our business partners, and we’re all in this together!

Achieving Success

If owning a business is something that you’ve seriously considered, or if you already own a business and are looking for an additional profit center, Weed Man is a great option! We would be happy to meet you, guide you and help you form a strategic partnership. For more information on franchising with Weed Man USA, visit http://www.weedmanfranchise.com.

Three Reasons Why Weed Man Businesses are Awesome

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Are you an aspiring entrepreneur, but can’t decide on what industry you want to delve into? Do you own an existing business, but are interested in ramping up your growth? Weed Man could be your solution! Lawn care may not be ‘sexy,’ but it sure is profitable. We have managed to grow our annual revenue by over $40 million in just the last five years! People are hiring Weed Man to ease the burdens of maintaining their homes, and to help them free up more time to enjoy life’s pleasures. And by all means, we are happy to help!

Consumers recognize that hiring Weed Man is a truly compelling value when compared to the retail costs of products, as well as the labor that goes into mixing and applying those products. It is not uncommon for Weed Man franchisees to receive phone calls from prospective customers dealing with the angst of uncertain results incurred by “DIY-ing” their lawn. There are also environmental benefits of maintaining a lush and healthy green space, which further increases the demand for professional lawn care services.

Aside from these favorable demographic trends, there are a few other reasons why Weed Man businesses are, to put it bluntly, awesome!

Recurring Revenues

Recurring Revenues

A well-run lawn care company can count on the vast majority of its customers automatically renewing each year. For instance, fertilizer needs to be applied multiple times throughout the season and weeds don’t come and go on a schedule – they need to be tended to! This brings in recurring revenues and allows us to focus marketing efforts on net growth rather than repeat sales. Weed Man offers top-of-the-line customer care and so, majority of our customers are repeat business. In fact, Weed Man boasts an impressive customer retention rate of approximately 75-80%.

Economic Stability

Economic StabilityWeed Man businesses offer limited exposure to recession. While no business is recession-proof, lawn care is a low-cost and high-valued service, a small slice of the consumer’s disposable income that can add as much as 15% to a home’s value. In addition to these undeniable facts, Weed Man franchisees are always building on a growing database of renewing customers, creating equity and expanding their business in the process.

Facts & Figures

Year after year, research shows a significant increase in the use of professional lawn and landscape services. Some of these statistics include:

Lawn care services continue to be a desired service by dual-income families and maturing baby boomers. Across these demographics, consumers understand the value of a healthy looking lawn and landscape and enjoy the tranquility that a lush, green lawn can provide.

If owning a business is something that you’ve seriously considered, or if you already own a business and are looking for an additional profit center, Weed Man is a great option! We would be happy to meet you, guide you and help you form a strategic partnership. For more information on franchising with Weed Man USA, visit http://www.weedmanfranchise.com.

GIE+EXPO 2015 – Will You Be There?

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The Green Industry & Equipment Expo is just around the corner. Join Weed Man as we ramp up for this year’s event in Louisville, Kentucky! We’ll be at booth #5019 from October 22-23. Pay us a visit and meet the support team behind our award-winning franchise network!

Whether you’re looking for a career change or for an opportunity to diversify and grow your existing business, we can help you take your career to new heights. We have helped hundreds of landscape professionals make their mark in the industry – you could be next! Our franchisees are growing an average of 20% annually and boast customer renewal rates of 75-80%.

Weed Man was recently named One of the Best Franchises to Buy, by Forbes magazine – thanks in part to our state-of-the-art systems, recurring revenues and unlimited growth opportunities. With over $140 million in system sales, we are the leading franchised lawn care company in the green industry. Year after year, Weed Man has been named the #1 Franchise in Lawn Care by Entrepreneur magazine. Currently sold out in Canada, we have seen rapid growth across the United States and we don’t plan on slowing down any time soon! Join us at this year’s GIE+EXPO in Louisville, Kentucky to learn more about our award-winning business model. Stop by booth #5019 to speak with various company representatives and find out what makes our franchisees so successful.

To receive 50% off your GIE+EXPO registration, click here: http://weedmanfranchise.com/news/2015-gie.html

See you soon!

GIE Expo