2nd Place (Tie) -- Green Leaf Lawnscapes
Cody Nielsen is looking to redefine the notion of outdoor living space, and his ideas and planning abilities found him $5,000 richer as a 2nd place recipient of a 2013 South Venture Business Plan award.
“We define an outdoor living space as the area you enjoy your time with family and friends outside on your property,” Nielsen said.
“This would include your lawn, patio, garden spaces, decks, and so on. We refer to it as a living space because it should be a place you like to "live" when you're not indoors; your favourite plants and trees, deck with barbecue, water feature, a lawn for the kids to play on, etc….”
Nielsen, in his 3rd year of studies in Management (Finance) has been operating his business, Green Leaf Lawnscapes, while in school.
The SouthVenture opportunity allowed him to refine his business skills and research the possibilities of expansion to larger markets in Lethbridge and beyond. With his wife and business partner Stephanie, also a recent U of L grad, the pair are balancing jobs, school, a six-month-old baby and between four and six employees, year-‘round.
“We are entering our third year of operations and have seen steady growth so far,” Nielsen said. “We hope to increase our share of the Lethbridge market and potentially look to Calgary to expand. With our growth thus far, the clients we are continuing to work with, and the range of services we offer, we have a sustainable business model to continue to generate profits, provide jobs, and contribute to our own community and economy.”
Nielsen said his approach is a bit different from other companies, not just in philosophy, but in services. “What makes us different from other companies in Lethbridge is that we offer many landscaping services (sod, irrigation, patios, fences, etc.), fertilizer and certified weed control service, as well as your conventional maintenance services (Mowing, aerating, sprinkler blowouts etc.). This is different because other companies don't offer all three services of landscaping, fertilizer and weed control, and maintenance. As well, I want people who I work with as clients to see how enlivening your landscape makes it a healthy environment that contributes to the environment.”
Nielsen said that a healthy lawn, well watered and taken care of, provides enough oxygen for a family of four, and fertilizer and weed control programs, properly administered, deliver long term benefits to a lawnscape.
“A lawn absorbs pollution, cools the air outside your home, prevents erosion, and highlights your home. Healthy gardens and trees provide beautiful scenery and again more oxygen, homes for birds and other organisms, and trees also can help block wind (a nice bonus here in Lethbridge). We want to be ‘green’ by bringing your yard to life.”
-- 30 –
Contact:
Cody Nielsen, Green Leaf Lawnscapes
(403) 929-2964
info@greenleaflawnscapes.com
http://www.greenleaflawnscapes.com
---
U of L Communications and Public Relations Contact:
Bob Cooney, Communications and PR Officer (403) 382-7173
Cody Nielsen is looking to redefine the notion of outdoor living space, and his ideas and planning abilities found him $5,000 richer as a 2nd place recipient of a 2013 South Venture Business Plan award.
“We define an outdoor living space as the area you enjoy your time with family and friends outside on your property,” Nielsen said.
“This would include your lawn, patio, garden spaces, decks, and so on. We refer to it as a living space because it should be a place you like to "live" when you're not indoors; your favourite plants and trees, deck with barbecue, water feature, a lawn for the kids to play on, etc….”
Nielsen, in his 3rd year of studies in Management (Finance) has been operating his business, Green Leaf Lawnscapes, while in school.
The SouthVenture opportunity allowed him to refine his business skills and research the possibilities of expansion to larger markets in Lethbridge and beyond. With his wife and business partner Stephanie, also a recent U of L grad, the pair are balancing jobs, school, a six-month-old baby and between four and six employees, year-‘round.
“We are entering our third year of operations and have seen steady growth so far,” Nielsen said. “We hope to increase our share of the Lethbridge market and potentially look to Calgary to expand. With our growth thus far, the clients we are continuing to work with, and the range of services we offer, we have a sustainable business model to continue to generate profits, provide jobs, and contribute to our own community and economy.”
Nielsen said his approach is a bit different from other companies, not just in philosophy, but in services. “What makes us different from other companies in Lethbridge is that we offer many landscaping services (sod, irrigation, patios, fences, etc.), fertilizer and certified weed control service, as well as your conventional maintenance services (Mowing, aerating, sprinkler blowouts etc.). This is different because other companies don't offer all three services of landscaping, fertilizer and weed control, and maintenance. As well, I want people who I work with as clients to see how enlivening your landscape makes it a healthy environment that contributes to the environment.”
Nielsen said that a healthy lawn, well watered and taken care of, provides enough oxygen for a family of four, and fertilizer and weed control programs, properly administered, deliver long term benefits to a lawnscape.
“A lawn absorbs pollution, cools the air outside your home, prevents erosion, and highlights your home. Healthy gardens and trees provide beautiful scenery and again more oxygen, homes for birds and other organisms, and trees also can help block wind (a nice bonus here in Lethbridge). We want to be ‘green’ by bringing your yard to life.”
-- 30 –
Contact:
Cody Nielsen, Green Leaf Lawnscapes
(403) 929-2964
info@greenleaflawnscapes.com
http://www.greenleaflawnscapes.com
---
U of L Communications and Public Relations Contact:
Bob Cooney, Communications and PR Officer (403) 382-7173