05/06/2008
|
|
|
Jonathan Frailey (right) and Joel Frailey of Lawn Jon Grounds Care Inc. |
Working outdoors is nothing new to Jonathan Frailey. Since elementary school, he has been in the grounds maintenance business, starting off with mowing neighbors' lawns to the creation of a full-time landscaping business in 1994. Now, Lawn Jon Grounds Care Inc., based out of Pataskala and serving the greater Columbus area, caters to both commercial and residential customers and offers a wide variety of services ranging from turf maintenance and irrigation to chemical applications and snow and ice control.
Throughout the years, Frailey attributes the success of his company to "the commitment to excellence, the implementation of sound business and management principles, and sheer determination. In short, hard work and wisdom make a formula for success."
As the president of the business, Jonathan has made his company a family one. His brother Joel serves as vice president and is vital to the company's daily field operations. His father, Leo, serves as chairman of the Board of Directors. Prior to incorporating the business in 1996, Lawn Jon became a member of NFIB. Having been encouraged to join while as a sole proprietor, Frailey knew the worth and advantages of becoming a member.
"I knew other small business owners who highly recommended I join NFIB because of the support [it] offered," Frailey says. "The group-rating discount for workers' compensation was and is a very attractive feature of being an NFIB member."
Frailey uses other NFIB benefits every day as a small business owner by regularly referring to MyBusiness magazine and policy manuals, as well legal guides and resources. He also encourages other small business owners to join NFIB and take advantage of the numerous resources. Despite the volatility of being in a seasonal industry and the difficulty of finding and retaining great workers, Frailey loves being a small business owner.
"The best part is working hard to help people, whether they are customers or employees," he says. "The satisfaction that comes from knowing that you made a difference is the greatest feeling."
