SMALL BUSINESS Lawn Ranger hopes his turf expands

The owner is considering increasing his business by acquiring other companies.
By SEAN BARRON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
LOWELLVILLE -- Greg Hohloch recalls spending many summer days during his teenage years cutting people's lawns in his neighborhood on Youngstown's South Side.
Before he graduated from South High School in 1969, Hohloch and his brother Rick had already started their own lawn maintenance business. As the grass grew, so did their business.
"When [Rick] graduated in 1973, we decided to do it full time. Ours was one of two companies in Youngstown to offer these services," which included grass cutting, pruning, light fertilization, mulch application and other maintenance work, said Hohloch, owner of The Lawn Ranger.
For a while, the two brothers worked by themselves. In 1977, they took over the former Margaret Faulds Garden Center on Market Street, and for 10 years they ran G & amp;R Lawn & amp; Garden Center with another partner.
Moving ahead
In 1987, the three went their own ways and Hohloch planted the seeds for what became a successful lawn care business. He bought property on Styme Road and added to the structures before opening The Lawn Ranger the following year.
Most of the company's business is fertilization and weed control application, Hohloch noted, adding that many customers prefer to have five to six lawn application treatments each year. Other services The Lawn Ranger offers include grub prevention, designed to prevent lawn damage; winterization, which is fertilization that targets unwanted root growth; and core aeration, a mechanical means of pulling out various types of soil.
The Lawn Ranger mixes its own products, making it easier to control ground ivy and other difficult weeds, he said.
The business also offers a newsletter that's published five times a year to give customers tips on good lawn care and to keep them informed of changes in technology in the business. The Lawn Ranger serves Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana, Mercer and Lawrence counties.
Winter work
Despite the heavy emphasis on lawn care, The Lawn Ranger also is active during the winter. The business provides snow removal services for large commercial parking lots and spends much of December through February performing repairs and maintenance for customers' lawn mowers, Hohloch noted.
Hohloch added that he's proud of his nine employees, many of whom are licensed by the state Department of Agriculture. That allows them to apply various pesticides to lawns, plants, shrubs and trees and to perform other services. The workers also take tests on safety and knowledge, and Hohloch said he attends recertification courses every three years to keep up with the lawn care industry.
Hohloch also pointed to a strong team effort as contributing to his company's success. Much of his business comes from referrals, but many are repeat customers -- some of whom he's never met because they work during the day -- he said.
Changes take place
Various changes in society over the past 10 to 15 years have also led to increased business, Hohloch noted. More organized sports programs for kids and busier lives have allowed for less family time, causing many people to prefer hiring someone to handle their lawns, he said.
Hohloch said he is considering acquiring some smaller companies that provide similar services. That move should allow The Lawn Ranger to expand over the next few years, he predicted.
"You've got to commit yourself for success in this business," he said.