Ewing entrepreneur's business sees green, continues to grow

Farrah Gray, a famous American businessman, said, "Build your own dreams or someone else will hire you to build theirs." Four years ago, Parker Napier, of Ewing, decided to take a chance at starting his own business, Parker's Lawn Mowing. Now, he continues to expand his business.

Parker's Lawn Mowing began when Napier was just 11 years old. He purchased his first lawn mower from his parents, Chad and Karen Napier. He wanted to start this business because he was bored and needed something to do.

"I'm not the type of person to sit at home and do nothing," Napier explained.

After a successful first year of Parker's Lawn Mowing, he decided he would need something bigger. Although he didn't have the money at the time for a new mower, he didn't let that stop him. He received a loan for a bigger mower and has been expanding business ever since.

This summer, he has 22 regular scheduled yards, but he averages about 24 to 27 yards a week, depending on if it rains and who is watering.

While his business is primarily located in Ewing, he started getting more business out of town as well.

"This year I traveled to Clearwater and dethatched a couple yards there and then went to Orchard and did a yard there," Napier said.

While his business is seasonal, he begins dethatching yards in the early spring and ends in the late fall after he does yard cleanups to get rid of the leaves. Napier purchased all of his equipment with his own money and now owns two lawn mowers. The only exception is that he borrows his parent's tractor-style mower during dethatching season to pull the dethatcher. Otherwise, he does all the work and manages his business himself. He has had friends offer to help if he ever needs it, but he said his parents are good about helping him if he is really busy, during the late spring and early fall when the grass is nice and green from rain.

Napier's favorite part about Parker's Lawn Mowing is feeling like he has made a difference.

"I hope I can make someone think 'wow, that really looks nice' or make them feel like I helped them out in some way," he said.

As Napier stated before that he enjoys staying busy, he also works part-time for Anson Electric to put pivots up and fix them.

"(A few weeks ago), I worked four days at Anson's and mowed 23 yards after work," he said.

Parker's Lawn Mowing stands out because he is a 15-year-old entrepreneur. His business offers mowing, dethatching and leaf pickup. He recently purchased an arm saw to potentially start cutting trees and he has thought about getting into fertlizing yards in the future as well.

Napier said his parents are a big help with his business.

"I would like to add a big thank you to my parents for everything they have done to make this business successful, without them this wouldn't be going like it is."