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Long before he opened his&nbsp;<a href="https://lawnsquadfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=lawn-squad-veteran-south-jersey-2731045" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Lawn Squad</a> franchise — the yard-maintenance and lawn-care brand under&nbsp;<a href="https://www.authoritybrands.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=lawn-squad-veteran-south-jersey-2731045" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Authority Brands</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodneysykes?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=lawn-squad-veteran-south-jersey-2731045" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Rodney Sykes</a> knew he wanted a career that matched the values he was raised with: service, community and hands-on work. Those principles have guided him from the start.Sykes grew up in a military family in West Philadelphia, surrounded by examples of discipline, duty and sacrifice. Relatives served in the Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, and by the time he finished high school, he already knew where he belonged. Two weeks after graduation, he enlisted and became a Navy corpsman, providing medical support for the Marine Corps and later serving aboard the historic U.S.S.&nbsp;New Jersey. His six years in uniform, including time in California, taught him how to lead, how to stay calm under pressure and how to care for others with compassion.After transitioning to civilian life, Sykes built a strong career in customer-focused roles, but something about the corporate world never fully clicked. “I’m someone who likes to stay busy and work with my hands,” he said.Entrepreneurship was always in the background. His father and uncles were general contractors, and his sisters each own multiple properties. Although he initially resisted following that family path, Sykes eventually felt called to build something of his own — something that aligned with his faith, his personality and his desire to help others. Through&nbsp;<a href="https://www.vetfran.org/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=lawn-squad-veteran-south-jersey-2731045" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">VetFran</a>, he discovered Lawn Squad and immediately recognized a match.“What caught my attention was that it wasn’t just lawn care — it was service,” he said. “People trust you with their homes, and you get the chance to show up for them in a real way.”That commitment shows up well beyond his customer work. Sykes is active with the local chamber of commerce, volunteers with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.habitat.org/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=lawn-squad-veteran-south-jersey-2731045" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Habitat for Humanity</a> and supports the Navy Foundation. Each week, he personally purchases between $100 and $150 in $5 gift cards at 7-Eleven or local grocery stores and hands them out to homeless individuals.“I try to help where I can,” he said. “If a gift card makes someone’s day a little easier, it’s worth it."Now operating Lawn Squad across Camden, Gloucester and Burlington Counties, Sykes plans to grow into additional territories as the business expands. For him, franchise ownership is a continuation of the same mission he’s carried his entire life. To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lawnsquadfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=lawn-squad-veteran-south-jersey-2731045" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://lawnsquadfranchise.com/</a>.&nbsp;

Image of Rodney Sykes from lawn squad franchisee in South Jersey

Navy Veteran Brings Lawn Squad Franchise to South Jersey

1851 Franchise

After years in the military and corporate sales, West Philadelphia native Rodney Sykes returns to his roots of faith, community and hands-on work through his Lawn Squad franchise.

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