Landscape

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.

New Year. New Technology. New Beginning?

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At Weed Man, we’re constantly aiming to improve the overall experience for our customers, all while helping our franchisees better their businesses and innovating to stay aligned with industry trends. Over the past 45 years, not a lot has changed in terms of Weed Man’s business plan, but with technology booming, it’s important that the brand continues to grow in the digital space.

Saying this, customers, franchisees and potential Weed Man owners can expect our new website to launch TODAY! Are you interested in seeing our new look? The easy-to-navigate design and image-based content is what the new and improved Weed Man site is all about. Visit us at www.weedmanusa.com!

Not only does Weed Man offer top-of-the-line marketing support, the head office team is also available for help in administration, agronomics, social media and so much more! We even take care of franchisees’ public relation needs. And to take results to the next level in 2016, our PR firm has added a wide array of new technologies to help extend our reach to thousands of additional media outlets, both traditional and online. The new platforms provide increased media monitoring and results tracking for the whole brand, nationwide.

Check out some of our latest secured placements below:

When it comes to creating a name for ourselves online, it’s safe to say we’re doing a pretty good job. A new website, numerous secured placements, both local and national, and not to mention, we’re also very active on social media! Want to see for yourself?

Check us out on social:

A new year means new technology and many new things to come for Weed Man! Are you interested in a new beginning? If you’re interested in learning more about opportunities in your area, contact us today at 888-321-9333or visit www.weedmanfranchise.com.

New Year

 

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

#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.

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!

 

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

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

A Leadership Q & A with Weed Man COO Jennifer Lemcke

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What is the best job you’ve had? Running the marketing rooms during my earlier years with

Weed Man. I loved being a part of that and watching the company grow, as well as working and

motivating people.

What about the worst? Definitely when I first started out at Weed Man, doing the physical

work of being out on the lawns was tough. It’s not an easy job!

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received? When you’re hit with a challenge, don’t think

you’re alone. Reach out to others and LISTEN to what they have to say and learn. It’s okay not

to have all of the answers. One of my biggest assets is having a great network to reach out to.

My fellow sub franchisors are truly family, and it’s nice to be able to depend on their

backgrounds and expertise for support.

What has been your biggest challenge? Being the boss’s daughter. I work harder and longer all

the time so people don’t think I was handed this job on a silver platter. I work twice as hard to

alleviate that. I don’t want to be ashamed of my job and accomplishments, so I am always

trying to prove people wrong. I have been on several boards and have grown my career outside

of Weed Man.

Have you ever experienced a “fork in the road?” Definitely! When I become a mother. As a

woman, it was very difficult. I always want to be the best COO I can be, but also be the best

mother. Weed Man was growing very quickly and working long hours was a struggle at times. I

eventually found balance by hiring a nanny who is still very much a part of the family.

Sometimes, I travelled more than I was in the office. I am so very proud of all three of my

children. They have all become leaders in their own way! I love the ‘compass’ – grounded, but

off kilter just a little bit. Right now, it is aligned with where I need to be.

How do you achieve a good work/life balance? I’m not very good at this, but I’m getting

better. Family, work, myself (in that order). I’m good at some of it, but not great at a lot of it. I

enjoy watching my kids play sports, coaching and being on the bench. I work more to have

more time to do things like that, so my kids know they can lean on me if they need it.

Are there any quirky or unique things that are a part of your daily routine? Coffee. I love my

coffee! I am very energetic and hands-on. The thought of ‘I am COO of Weed Man’ never

crossed my mind.

When is the best time for brainstorming? In the shower. I wake up and my brain just comes to

life with all of these ideas in my head. My drive to the office is also very important to me for

this reason.

What technology helps with productivity? Outlook.

What’s next for Jennifer and Weed Man? To continue growing a strong, respected and national

brand. To stay relevant to and support franchisees. And I would potentially consider expanding

into other brands in the future.

Chief Operating Officer of Weed Man USA

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.