Indies Only: For Lifelong Resident, Business is About More Than Cutting Grass

Rick Jacobsen has relied on his work ethic and his Oswego network to quickly build Jacobsen Lawn Service into a successful and rapidly expanding business.

“Many of my customers know this is a new company. Many are rooting for me and are enjoying watching my company grow," said Jacobsen, who has lived in town his entire life.

"They ask me how business is doing and are excited for me. That’s one of the best feelings in the world. I love the hometown feel and that this community is so close knit."

This is only Jacobsen's second full season in business and he's currently servicing about 80 lawns per week.

Danny Henry joined Jacobsen about two months ago. Henry and Jacobsen have been friends since junior high and they have a good system, Jacobsen said.

Jacobsen worked as a union carpenter for about nine years before a bad injury took him off the job.

“By the time I healed, construction was dead and everyone was being laid off,” he said. “All I knew was construction. After racking my brain and weighing alternatives, I decided to start a lawn service."

Like many small business owners these days Jacobsen turned to social media for help drumming up a client base.

“I’d estimate Facebook has led to 35 percent of my business,” he said. “We are out in the public all day and see lots of interesting things. If we see something silly or interesting, then we’ll post it. It helps to keep the job fun."

Christine Cronin first hired Jacobsen in spring 2010 to provide mowing services. Since then she has added services like fertilizer and weed control.

“My husband and I work crazy hours. I never thought I’d hire a lawn service but my neighbor recommended Rick. He does a great job and at an incredibly reasonable price,” Cronin said. “Rick consistently goes above and beyond my expectations and I fell in love with his service."

Another big part of Jacobsen's business is giving back to the community he's always called home. Jacobsen recently sponsored the in the for Special Olympics and said he plans to organize a canned food drive to benefit the Kendall County Food Pantry.

In addition to mowing lawns, Jacobsen pairs with real estate agents to clean up the yards of homes that are for sale.

Other services Jacobsen provides: fertilization, weed control, mulch, aeration, dethatching, grass patchwork, removal of bushes, cutting up downed trees, junk removal, and party setup. In the winter, Jacobsen provides snow removal and salting.

“I’m not going to sit around," he said. "If I have time, I’ll do just about any job.”

To request service or a free estimate, call Jacobsen Lawn Service at 630-554-3868 or e-mail rick@jacobsenlawn.com