Humble beginnings

I first met and worked with Marcus and Amber Mitchum last summer. Their journey has been so similar to that of many of the clients that I work with, that I wanted to share it. Here’s their story:

At just 19 years old, Mitchum Lawn Founder, Marcus Mitchum, borrowed a push mower from a retired veteran in exchange for cutting his grass. Armed with a $60 Walmart weed eater and a broom for cleanup, this small beginning planted the seeds for what would become a flourishing lawn care company. Today, Mitchum Lawn is a family-owned and operated business serving over 500 clients, specializing in residential and commercial maintenance and expanding into turf treatments in the greater Columbus, Ga., market.

Mitchum Lawn is owned by Marcus and his wife, Amber, who left her nursing career seven years ago to join the business full-time. Their oldest son, Cameron, worked for the company before joining the Navy, while their middle son, Jacob, is studying business administration with plans to help manage and grow the company. Even their cousin contributes as the business’s go-to mechanic, making Mitchum Lawn a true first-generation family enterprise.

Marcus’s journey into the landscaping industry began in his teens, inspired by the instant gratification of a job well-done and a natural talent for the craft. Initially, lawn care was a way to provide for his family, but it evolved into a thriving business that required him to transition from doing the work himself to managing a team.

Building a business without formal education wasn’t easy. Marcus had dropped out of high school in the 10th grade and earned his GED at age 24. With no business background, he relied on books, mentors and coaches to learn the ropes of the business. Gary Stern, his first boss, taught him to take pride in his work, while Barbara Duncan, who became like his mother in business, encouraged him to know and value his worth. Later, online resources like Jonathan Pototschnik’s YouTube channel inspired him to dream big.

One of the turning points for Mitchum Lawn was bringing Amber on board as a full-time partner. Her involvement allowed Marcus to focus on building the company’s vision and team. Another milestone was moving out of their home office six years ago into a dedicated office space. Today, the company operates seven lawn maintenance trucks with an eighth truck coming online for the upcoming season. A ninth truck is a full-time chemical and specialized services vehicle.

A key to Marcus and Amber’s success has been assembling a strong team. Mitchum Lawn’s “route managers,” as the lawn care technicians are called, are the face of the company. These team members are the lifeblood of the business.

Marcus and Amber believe that if they take care of employees, they, in turn, will take care of clients and equipment. Leadership roles, including Operations Manager Keith, Team Leader Nick and Office Manager Kassandra, ensure smooth operations and excellent client communication.

Mitchum Lawn’s core values — having an attitude of gratitude, integrity, pride in work, teamwork and accountability — guide every aspect of the business. Hiring, managing and even firing are done with these values in mind, which has helped cultivate a positive and productive team culture.

Marcus acknowledges there have been (and still are) challenges along the way. These have included balancing family life as a parent of a teenager, starting a new business and then learning how to run a business while managing a team. Transitioning from being an owner-operator to a manager has been particularly tough, as he often longs to be out in the field with his crew.

Looking to the future, Marcus and Amber have big dreams. Marcus envisions an eight-figure company with opportunities for employee growth, multiple locations and even a swimming pool at one of the offices. The company’s recent implementation of performance-based pay has allowed them to pay above market standards while keeping labor costs manageable — a win-win for both employees and the business.

From its modest beginnings with borrowed equipment to becoming a thriving enterprise, Mitchum Lawn stands as a testament to hard work, family support and a commitment to core values. With a clear vision and a dedicated team, the future looks bright for this growing company.

Travels with Jim follows Jim Huston around the country as he visits with landscapers and helps them understand their numbers to make smarter decisions. He can be reached at: jhuston@jrhuston.biz.