Entrepreneur magazine

Franchise Today & Weed Man USA COO Jennifer Lemcke

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Recently, Weed Man C.O.O. Jennifer Lemcke was invited to participate in a discussion with Franchise Today, an online radio show discussing what’s going on in the franchising world, serving up discussions with weekly guests and touching on best practices for building and growing sustainable franchise brands.

Host Stan Friedman and Lemcke touch on the tremendous growth Weed Man USA has experienced in the past decade and Weed Man’s title as the fastest growing franchise in lawn care. For the second consecutive year, Weed Man has been named One of the Best Franchises to Buy by Forbes magazine and with an initial investment of under $150,000, it’s no wonder the lawn care franchise has seen so much success.

“Our strategy in the U.S. has never been to differ from quality. We do have some good competitors at a national level…but between us and [them], I would boil it down to [the quality of] our fertilizer…and that’s been a staple [for us],” says Lemcke when asked about Weed Man’s strategy.

You can learn more about Weed Man’s exclusively-blended, golf course quality fertilizer HERE.

There are several things that set Weed Man apart from other lawn care franchises. For instance, during our off-time,“[In November, we do budgeting and] our business planning, which is unreal – top of class, not only in our industry, but top of class in probably most industries. We do zero-based budgeting with our franchisees and a business plan with each and every one of our franchisees – the crutch to all of our systems,” Lemcke states.

franchise-today

To listen to the entire podcast and learn more about the Weed Man opportunity, click HERE.

For more information on opportunities in your area, visit us online at www.weedmanfranchise.com or call 1-888-321-9333.

Weed Man’s Top 10 Quotes to Inspire Success

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At Weed Man, we have plenty of success stories to tell. But, we’ve been in your shoes and look at where we are today – Weed Man is One of the Best Franchises to Buy, as reported by Forbes and North America’s Fastest-Growing Lawn Care Franchises, according to Entrepreneur magazine (among many other accolades). Getting started can often be the hardest part of any entrepreneurial journey; but if you have the will, there’s a way. To fuel your fire, here are our Top 10 Quotes to Inspire Success.

“Opportunities don’t happen. You create them.” – Chris Grosser

“Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” – Winston Churchill

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” – Albert Schweitzer

“The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.” – Vidal Sassoon

“Talk and give your opinion, but also listen, reflect and take to heart what other people have to say.” – Jennifer Lemcke, C.O.O., Weed Man USA

“The only thing worse than starting something and failing…is not starting something.” – Seth Godin

“Embrace what you don’t know, especially in the beginning, because what you don’t know can become your greatest asset. It ensures that you will absolutely be doing things different from everybody else.” – Sara Blakely

“Everything started as nothing.” –  Ben Weissenstein

“The most valuable thing you can make is a mistake – you can’t learn anything from being perfect.” – Adam Osborne

“All of us do not have equal talent. Yet, all of us have an equal opportunity to develop our talents.” – Ratan Tata

If you are interested in learning more about the Weed Man franchise opportunity, visit us online at www.weedmanfranchise.com or call 1-888-321-9333.

5 Reasons Why Keeping It Simple Works

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Keeping it Simple

In today’s day and age, technology is constantly evolving and making our lives more fun and certainly more interesting, but at the same time, it can sometimes make life just a little more complicated. Don’t you agree? Weed Man boasts over 45 years of experience in the industry. We are constantly innovating, but our core values and ideologies have always remained the same. The Weed Man system provides protected territories, comprehensive training, exclusive computer and marketing systems, dominant purchasing power and a commitment to training…the roots to our successful green industry business and some of the largest factors that contribute to being nationally recognized by Forbes magazine as One of the Best Franchises to Buy, by Entrepreneur as the #1 franchise in lawn care, by CNBC as one of nine franchises that can make you rich, as well as many other impressive accolades!

How do we do it? We keep it simple!  Here’s why:

  1. Everyone can grasp it. Not everyone is as technologically-inclined as Mark Zuckerberg and at Weed Man, we are well aware of that. The more complicated the systems are, the greater the risk. By keeping our systems user-friendly, we are increasing the network’s chance of success.
  2. It’s easier to duplicate our successes. As they say, if something works, why change it?! Last year alone, Weed Man USA reported over $82 million in system-wide revenue. We must be doing something right!
  3. The results are measurable. In everything we do, our systems have been conceived, tested, refined and ultimately proven to increase efficiency and profitability. We have taken the time to create standardized procedures that are based upon measurable results to ensure success. It’s imperative to know what’s working and what isn’t.
  4. It requires less to achieve greater. Keeping the strategy simple is effective because it allows everyone to better understand the use of our systems, as well as the results, ultimately shortening the necessary training process and accelerating the time to overall business success; and thus, watching the company experience exponential growth.
  5. Customer retention. As written by Harvard Business Review ‘Many brands lead consumers down confusing purchase paths. The savviest ones simplify and personalize the route.’ We couldn’t have said it better ourselves! Keeping the sales process straight forward, makes it easier to for the customer to understand and therefore, increases revenue and helps the business achieve success.

If you are interested in learning more about franchise opportunities in your area, visit us online at www.weedmanfranchise.com or call 1-888-321-9333. We look forward to hearing from you!

#BusinessTips with Weed Man’s COO

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Over the years Weed Man has remained the #1 Franchise in Lawn Care. The company has also been named One of the Best Franchises to Buy by Forbes magazine. Last year alone, the company secured over $83 million in system sales, a 13% increase over 2014. For 2016, the organization is on track to hit the $100 million mark, as we expect to add as many as 50 new territories throughout the United States. Weed Man COO Jennifer Lemcke has helped grow the company “from humble beginnings – one customer at a time.”  And with that said, the savvy business woman has some words of advice for business owners across the globe.

What productivity hack ensures you’re hitting your top priorities and focusing on the right tasks?

I use Outlook religiously – for to-do lists, reminders, scheduling for my personal life and business, appointments, sports games etc. But, if I’m feeling really overwhelmed, I will go ‘back to the basics’ and set up a binder, organize it, highlight things, make indexes and check tasks off as they’re completed. It brings a level of calmness to me.

How did your past work experiences impact your leadership style today?

I have been blessed to have great mentors throughout my working life. The one thing I’ve learned from them over the years is simple: be nice to people and listen. Say ‘hello’ in the morning, smile and be positive. Talk and give your opinion where needed, but also listen to what people have to say, reflect and take other people’s opinions to heart.

Weed Man is very customer-service focused and committed to informing their customers. How do you train that type of commitment?

Every single employee who could possibly be in contact with a customer has a training program, not just outlining the basics, but also explaining the appropriate attitude to have and how to act. A great definition of customer service is ‘a wave’ and with that, comes an analogy that I love to use. When you’re sitting in traffic and someone is trying to merge, if you let them in and they wave and smile, you feel satisfied and happy; but if the driver who merges doesn’t wave or acknowledge your kind act, drivers will typically become agitated and depending on their driving style, could mutter something under their breath, follow tightly behind that car or not let anyone else merge in front of them. It’s the same way in business. Smile, be positive, acknowledge your customers’ needs and desires and they’ll keep letting you in…or, in Weed Man’s case, they’ll keep letting you service their lawn. It’s that simple!

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.

#BusinessTips from WM COO

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.

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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!

 

Weed Man’s 2016 Initiatives

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Happy New Year! With 2016 finally here and a new lawn care season just a few months down the road, the entire Weed Man team is excited for what has yet to come.

Last year was a great year for us. Collectively, the company secured an impressive $84 million in system sales, was named One of the Best Franchises to Buy by Forbes magazine, was ranked #7 on Entrepreneur’s Top 10 list and opened several new franchise locations across the United States.

With a new year, come new opportunities. There is so much that we have to look forward to for this coming year, including new technologies, new innovations, as well as new products.

Our 2016 Initiatives

We are getting ready to launch an exciting new website at the Weed Man headquarters. With an expected launch date of February 2016, our new site will boast a new and modern design and will offer similar functionalities as our current site, but new and improved for added convenience, making it extremely user-friendly.

We are excited to offer our franchisees new technology, which will Weed Man owners to target specific demographics and areas in their market, making marketing, advertising and recruitment a breeze.

All of our 2016 initiatives are being implemented to help our company, our franchisees, our business, reach a goal; and together, that goal is attainable. In 2016, Weed Man is on track to reach $100 million in system sales!

Join the Extended Weed Man Family Today!

If you’re looking for an exciting new opportunity that offers limitless growth potential, an unparalleled support system who are committed to helping you grow your business, an undeniable reputation in the industry and so much more, Weed Man may be for you!

If you own an existing business and are looking to diversify or are an aspiring entrepreneur who wants to secure your future and/or leave a legacy for your family, no matter your industry background, Weed Man can help you achieve your career aspirations. For additional information on franchise opportunities in your area, call us at 1-888-321-9333 or visit us online at www.weedmanfranchise.com.

2016 New Year Initiatives

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

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

How Weed Man Sets You Up For Success

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At Weed Man USA, our franchisees’ success and dedication are two of the most important aspects of our brand’s great reputation. Their success is our success, which is why we do all we can to train and support Weed Man owners across the country, to set them up to be the best they can be.

Building a profitable business isn’t easy, but after over 45 years in the game, we have what it takes to help franchisees rise to the top. Weed Man franchisees are set-up for success from the very beginning, and here are just a few reasons why:

  1. How do you do? New prospects are initially introduced to the Weed Man brand via an informative phone call with our Franchise Consultant. This call is used as a tool to get to know one another, on both a personal level and a business level. If both parties determine the partnership to be a good fit, potential franchisees go through an initial webinar to get a feel for our systems, what the franchising process looks like and to learn more about our brand.
  1. We offer extensive, continuous training. Once the mutual investigation process is complete and the FDD has been signed, new franchisees attend our 10-day long training at the Weed Man head office in Ontario, Canada. Several topics are discussed, including administration, technical, marketing, business planning and budgeting, as well as all of the training tools required to manage new employees. But it doesn’t stop there. We help franchisees stay current and on the cutting edge of lawn care with ongoing training and regular seminars. And through our team of regional franchisors, you’ll have constant access to an experienced consultant who wants your franchise to succeed.
  1. We’re swimming in a wealth of ‘green’ knowledge. When you become a Weed Man franchisee, you join the extended Weed Man family. Our network of Weed Man franchisors represents decades of lawn care operation experience. Their collective wisdom has been fine-tuned into a system that allows you to run a successful lawn care operation with no prior lawn care or agronomic training or knowledge.
  1. Forty-five years has been good to us. Weed Man has been around for over 45 years, so we have quite the history to back us up. Over those almost five decades, we have earned a solid reputation that we are very proud of. Not only are our customers happy, but we are also known in the business world for having outstanding franchisee satisfaction. Just recently we were named one of the “Best Franchises to Buy” by Forbes. Also, Weed Man has consistently ranked amongst the best of the best by Franchise Business Review and Entrepreneur.
  1. We teach fundamentals. It’s not all about knowing lawn care and agronomics! New franchisees are trained on how to build a successful Weed Man franchise, as well as how to manage growth and profitability. Head office provides ongoing support when it comes to all facets of the business.
  1. We make it easy for anyone. We have hundreds of franchisees, all with different career backgrounds and strengths. Whether you are currently a part of the green industry, or you are in a completely unrelated field, we make it easy for entrepreneurs with the right attitude to become Weed Man franchisees. It all comes down to your approach to ownership and your drive! Click here to read more about the diverse owners of Weed Man.

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 can make franchise ownership easy for you, too. 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/.

Weed Man Lawn Care Franchise