Life & Work with Tracy Gaston Jr of Riverdale, Clayton County

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracy Gaston Jr.

Hi Tracy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started out providing lawn services as a 9th grader that wasn’t able to get an after school job due to my deep involvement in athletics (3 sport athlete).

My dad and my uncles inspired me to become familiar with outdoor activities like gardening, tools, engines, and dogs. Outside of sports, it was always normal to be outside doing something to improve the appearance and maintain a neat clean home. I really became an outdoorsman at young age that enjoyed getting dirty and smelling the aroma of burning wood or leaves in steel barrel.

I grew up in Eastpoint, Ga. Also raise on the southside, Riverdale, Ga. Based on the community and neighborhood we resided, I was able to exercise my skills in lawncare for other neighbors to see as they drove by. I was in the middle school when the neighboring house gave me the opportunity to do there lawn not knowing I would do an amazing job under the age of 15. The more I cut that one yard every other weekend, I became more comfortable and confident in my work. Not long after, the house across the street noticed how well kept their lawn was, then gave me an opportunity to maintain theirs as well. By the time I graduated high school I was maintaining almost half of the subdivision.

After going off to college, attending Savannah State University as a biology student, I was able travel back and forth home to cut a few yards just to return back to campus with funds to help make it through school also to have a little fun as a college student. After graduating from Savannah State University in 2020, I began to take lawn care more serious.

Overtime I built relationships, earned trust, and accumulated over 20+ priorities, including the entire neighborhood I grew up in as a kid. With the help and support from my family and community, I was able to purchase and invest into my first property of my own in 2024

knowledge my mother has as a self employed hair dresser and the knowledge my sister has as a business owner, I am continuing to grow and expand by receiving insight from there business decisions and experiences before I advance a step further.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
LawnCare is not always an easy job physically and or mentally. It gets really hot during the summer months, I get dirty, bugs are everywhere, bees are flying, and sometimes clients may have requests or complaints that have to be resolved right away even when you don’t feel like doing anything.

A struggle I encountered was how to charge for my services. I figured that wasn’t my route so I decided to accept donations from active supporters. I also overcame that by taking pride in how efficient and well kept I leave a property after I’ve completed it.

Another struggle I encountered was scheduling and executing jobs without burning myself out. To resolve that problem I sat down and mapped out how many yards I can complete minimum. I currently work alone so time management is my biggest challenge sometimes.

It also took a while to grasp the concept of saving and actually documenting the work I perform.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’ve been known for being a pretty decent athlete in my city rather it’s football, baseball, or wrestling. After college I signed as professional football player in 2022 (arena). Unfortunately I couldn’t stay health and free from injuries that required multiple surgeries. Playing football, I’ve broken bones and tore ligaments I wasn’t supposed to recover from 100%. God continues to bless me.

Playing sport maybe my family, friends, and peers happy. However, I decided to save my body and use it for something more meaningful in my opinion.

In 2023 I focused on furthering my education and pursuing a career in the water industry; providing adequate drinking water to consumers, residents, restaurants, and local businesses.

What’s sets me apart from others is that I take pride in taking the extra mile. I’m okay with working hard and not gaining immediate results, as long as it’s a goal to work towards and conquer at the end. I find satisfaction in making others smile by showcasing my passion to be close to perfect as possible on a consistent basis.

I was raised and coached through out my childhood to be the best, or try your best to be best.

With that being said I am most proud that I decided to keep going and striving, even when I thought life was against me and things weren’t in my favor. I am proud that I have to drive and the ability to be self motivated at times when I had no one else to turn too

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Shout out to…

My parents for supporting and being there for me when I needed them. Also teaching me that faith and prayer works when you put the work in behind it.

My sister for being all the way honest with me, holding accountable for my decisions and actions, letting me know when I am wrong, and pushing me to hold myself to a standard.

Last but not least , my uncle Karl for allowing me to ride with him on landscaping jobs allowing to gain experience outside of where I’m from.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: 1tracyjr

Image Credits
ROTONDA GASTON