Barefoot Lawns

How many years have you been in landscaping business, and what inspired you to get started?

I grew up in Searcy and all through high school I worked for a garden nursery and helped my cousin who owned a lawncare company in town. After graduating and moving to LR for college I bought a leaf blower one winter and with my truck I started doing leaf removals for extra pay. I was waiting tables at the time but always loved being outdoors more! That winter of 2002 I met some wonderful people who asked me to mow during the summertime. I graduated college in 2006 with a political science degree and while I felt it necessary to do something with my degree I was making enough money to sustain my own lawncare company! 16 years later and a worlds worth of experience and I’m still here!! I believe if you think you know it all you’ve cut your cutting yourself short!! There is always room to grow and always new technology, equipment, and know how to make things better and more efficient!! When I’m not working you’ll find me fly fishing on the Little red, crafting different things from leather in my shop, or camping with my wife (Spenser)and 9 yr old son(Cash)!

How does your work stand out from other lawn service companies in the area?

I love the satisfaction of watching a lawn go from horrible to great with the knowledge I’ve learned over the years! Nothing is more satisfying than taking a lawn with no love, bad soil conditions, and poor maintenance, and making it the best lawn in the neighborhood!

What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

you shouldn’t settle for an ok job! Anytime you’re dealing with someone who will be taking care of your lawn ask them these questions... what is the primary species of my grass? What is the best height at which to cut this type of species of grass? How often do they believe this species should be cut in order to remain the healthiest it can? If they can’t answer those questions then you should find someone who’s educated in this Industry. Not someone looking to make a quick buck!!

What do you like most about the lawn care industry?

I’ve been in this industry for 16 years as Barefoot Lawns. Before then I worked for another lawncare company and at a tree and garden nursery in Searcy. I took some time away, a sabbatical if you will, and worked as a consultant for the Malvern country club as they were bought out by new owners and, under one of the greatest golf course consultants, John Siratt, I learned more than I could have ever imagined about turf management! This sparked new interest, as I had felt I was dealing with burnout, and I looked at my industry in a new light! I believe it is up to lawncare providers to take a better approach to reducing our carbon footprint by using prevention instead of chemicals after the fact!

What areas do you mainly service?

Heights, hillcrest, midtown, and west Lr.