In their very first year as Lawn Doctor franchisees, Jeff and Lorie Walling accomplished something extraordinary: They shattered a 57-year franchise record for rookie performance, earning them the prestigious Rookie of the Year award. This remarkable achievement is even more impressive considering they built their lawn care business while both maintaining demanding full-time careers — Jeff as a firefighter and Lorie in corporate banking.
"Some tough times were trying to balance everything," Lorie said. "But to look back, knowing that we not only achieved the goal we set for ourselves but exceeded it, is remarkable.”
While the Wallings saw great success in their first year, it wasn’t just a result of luck or prime market conditions. For seven months, Jeff served as their full-time technician while Lorie managed all office operations single-handedly, both while maintaining their other roles. An unwavering commitment to the business and an emphasis on customer-first thinking helped the Wallings build a strong foundation and position themselves for long-term success.
"We were Lawn Doctor customers before and could not have been more pleased with the level of communication, the aftercare and the technology," Lorie said. "When we moved to Texarkana, we signed up with a local company, but the communication was poor, and our yard just did not look the same."
After exploring options in their new community, the Wallings realized there was a significant gap in the market — one they were uniquely positioned to fill.
While the pair decided to launch the business to bring the type of lawn care service they, as clients, craved in the community, they planned to scale slowly but steadily in the early years. However, what started as a planned gradual entry into business ownership quickly transformed when the Wallings discovered just how tremendous the demand for quality lawn care was in their territory spanning three states: Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma.
"We — kind of naively — thought we'd grow into this business. We thought we could spend that first year or two taking our time," Lorie said. "But because there was such a huge need in our area for this type of business, it just kind of exploded. There was no soft entry or soft opening. It really was baptism by fire."
While the pair experienced a surge of demand, even in the early days, they remained true to their priorities.
"It's very important to both Jeff and I that we don't let our customers down,” Lorie said. “If we tell somebody we're going to do something, we're going to do it.”
Their dedication to meeting this promise, even when it meant working around the clock, laid the foundation for their record-setting first year.
Though they’re proud of their early success, the Wallings aren't content to rest on their Rookie of the Year laurels. They've already implemented an ambitious marketing plan for their second year, with goals to more than double their business. "We have our eyes set on the next record," Lorie said
Their vision extends far beyond immediate growth, however. Ultimately, the Wallings plan to develop a business their children can enter and run. With a multigenerational model, Lorie and Jeff will serve as leaders and advisors, helping their kids run the business. With their daughter already working in the office and gaining experience, the multigenerational approach is already taking shape.
“The vision that Jeff and Lorie proudly shared with the Lawn Doctor team before coming on board was that they would someday become the most sought-after lawn care maintenance providers in the Greater Texarkana area,” said Ben Beridon, Lawn Doctor franchise business coach. “This was a long-term goal, but in only their first year of operation, they have quickly established themselves as the trusted, go-to provider. Jeff and Lorie are some of the most approachable, genuine, and kind people you will ever meet, but they possess an extra gear that not every new business owner has. Their mentality is to outwork anyone else in their market and bring an unmatched level of customer service. They are always positive, open to new ideas, and willing to share best practices with their peers. They also have a gritty, roll up the sleeves and ‘get after it’ attitude, which all highly successful business owners tend to possess.”
For others considering a similar transition, particularly first responders looking to pivot into business ownership, Jeff offers reassurance: "It can be intimidating. Once you get into a certain career, that's kind of all you know. To leave that world and to transition into something else can be pretty intimidating. But it's not as daunting as it seems."
The Wallings credit much of their confidence and success to the robust support system provided by Lawn Doctor.
"When we started exploring, the fact that it was a franchise made it even more appealing because of the support and resources," Lorie said. "I wanted the structure. I wanted the playbook. I wanted the 'if you follow these steps, you'll be successful.'"
As they build on their award-winning first year, with their sights set on breaking another franchise record within the next three years, the Wallings remain committed to following the guidance offered by the franchisor and holding on to the customer-first approach that fueled their initial success.
“It’s very important to us that we maintain a strong reputation that will allow us to be in business for the long haul,” Lorie said. “We don’t want to work with a customer for a year and lose them. We want to be the trusted partner in the community that customers want to work with for years to come.”
To find out more information on the costs of buying this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/lawndoctor/info.
Lawn Doctor
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In their first year as franchisees, Jeff and Lorie Walling broke a 57-year record, winning Rookie of the Year recognition and laying the groundwork for a successful multigenerational business.
In their very first year as Lawn Doctor franchisees, Jeff and Lorie Walling accomplished something extraordinary: They shattered a 57-year franchise record for rookie performance, earning them the prestigious Rookie of the Year award. This remarkable achievement is even more impressive considering they built their lawn care business while both maintaining demanding full-time careers — Jeff as a firefighter and Lorie in corporate banking.
"Some tough times were trying to balance everything," Lorie said. "But to look back, knowing that we not only achieved the goal we set for ourselves but exceeded it, is remarkable.”
While the Wallings saw great success in their first year, it wasn’t just a result of luck or prime market conditions. For seven months, Jeff served as their full-time technician while Lorie managed all office operations single-handedly, both while maintaining their other roles. An unwavering commitment to the business and an emphasis on customer-first thinking helped the Wallings build a strong foundation and position themselves for long-term success.
"We were Lawn Doctor customers before and could not have been more pleased with the level of communication, the aftercare and the technology," Lorie said. "When we moved to Texarkana, we signed up with a local company, but the communication was poor, and our yard just did not look the same."
After exploring options in their new community, the Wallings realized there was a significant gap in the market — one they were uniquely positioned to fill.
While the pair decided to launch the business to bring the type of lawn care service they, as clients, craved in the community, they planned to scale slowly but steadily in the early years. However, what started as a planned gradual entry into business ownership quickly transformed when the Wallings discovered just how tremendous the demand for quality lawn care was in their territory spanning three states: Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma.
"We — kind of naively — thought we'd grow into this business. We thought we could spend that first year or two taking our time," Lorie said. "But because there was such a huge need in our area for this type of business, it just kind of exploded. There was no soft entry or soft opening. It really was baptism by fire."
While the pair experienced a surge of demand, even in the early days, they remained true to their priorities.
"It's very important to both Jeff and I that we don't let our customers down,” Lorie said. “If we tell somebody we're going to do something, we're going to do it.”
Their dedication to meeting this promise, even when it meant working around the clock, laid the foundation for their record-setting first year.
Though they’re proud of their early success, the Wallings aren't content to rest on their Rookie of the Year laurels. They've already implemented an ambitious marketing plan for their second year, with goals to more than double their business. "We have our eyes set on the next record," Lorie said
Their vision extends far beyond immediate growth, however. Ultimately, the Wallings plan to develop a business their children can enter and run. With a multigenerational model, Lorie and Jeff will serve as leaders and advisors, helping their kids run the business. With their daughter already working in the office and gaining experience, the multigenerational approach is already taking shape.
“The vision that Jeff and Lorie proudly shared with the Lawn Doctor team before coming on board was that they would someday become the most sought-after lawn care maintenance providers in the Greater Texarkana area,” said Ben Beridon, Lawn Doctor franchise business coach. “This was a long-term goal, but in only their first year of operation, they have quickly established themselves as the trusted, go-to provider. Jeff and Lorie are some of the most approachable, genuine, and kind people you will ever meet, but they possess an extra gear that not every new business owner has. Their mentality is to outwork anyone else in their market and bring an unmatched level of customer service. They are always positive, open to new ideas, and willing to share best practices with their peers. They also have a gritty, roll up the sleeves and ‘get after it’ attitude, which all highly successful business owners tend to possess.”
For others considering a similar transition, particularly first responders looking to pivot into business ownership, Jeff offers reassurance: "It can be intimidating. Once you get into a certain career, that's kind of all you know. To leave that world and to transition into something else can be pretty intimidating. But it's not as daunting as it seems."
The Wallings credit much of their confidence and success to the robust support system provided by Lawn Doctor.
"When we started exploring, the fact that it was a franchise made it even more appealing because of the support and resources," Lorie said. "I wanted the structure. I wanted the playbook. I wanted the 'if you follow these steps, you'll be successful.'"
As they build on their award-winning first year, with their sights set on breaking another franchise record within the next three years, the Wallings remain committed to following the guidance offered by the franchisor and holding on to the customer-first approach that fueled their initial success.
“It’s very important to us that we maintain a strong reputation that will allow us to be in business for the long haul,” Lorie said. “We don’t want to work with a customer for a year and lose them. We want to be the trusted partner in the community that customers want to work with for years to come.”
To find out more information on the costs of buying this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/lawndoctor/info.
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