Today we’d like to introduce you to Elijah Arnold.
Hi Elijah, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have a total of six siblings not including me. I was born in Atlanta, GA September 20, 1996 at Crawford D. long hospital which is now known as Emory hospital. Life wasn’t easy growing up but it wasn’t hard either. I graduated from Lithia springs high school in 2015. In 2015 I got accepted into college at middle Georgia state university in Cochran, GA. I completed one semester and dropped out the following semester in 2016. My reason for dropping out is simple; I was not doing what I came to do; which was play baseball at the next level(college). I received offers to play baseball from Jackson state university(D1) and Albany state university(D2) in 2015 but my GPA and ACT score was too low so I had to go to a college that would accept me. Middle Georgia state university already had a 40-man roster. So I could not play on the team that year. With that being said after my dropout in 2016, I begin to work for various amounts of outdoor companies such as; tree companies and lawncare and landscaping companies. I could never just stay at one job because either one company wasn’t busy enough to keep me on board or just did not treat their employees fair in my opinion.
From 2016 until the end of 2019, I worked for at least eight different lawn care and landscaping companies. Therefore I was able to see a lot of different perspectives of how work would be completed. Some companies I worked with focused on volume and some worked strictly on detail. Working with these different companies, I would pay close attention to the scope of work and different types of jobs that were being performed. I begin to learn how to cut grass the professional way, plant plants, bushes, install sod, cut trees, etc.; you name it I was learning it all! Throughout the years my mother, Keshia Arnold; would always hear the stories I would tell her about how good I was becoming at lawncare and landscaping. It wasn’t until summer 2019 when I was working hard for a lawn care company that I decided it was time I make my final decision. At this time, I had gained enough knowledge and saved up a few thousand. My mother recommended that I start my own business. She knew I knew enough about the industry to start my own business. So we came up with a game plan.
In 2019, I ended up basically giving away my 2002 Honda Civic that’s I used to get back and forth from work and selling it for $500. With the couple thousands, I had saved my mother helped me get my LLC, business apparel, cards, flyers, pens, my first truck and even my own equipment through a loan she took out in her name. We came to an agreement that I pay her back each month until my debt with her is cleared. In October of 2019, I officially became a business owner with the help of my mom. Very thankful for it and I love her beyond measures. Today my business is growing everyday and we are a 5 star company on Google! I started my business when I was 23 years old. I am now 25. The name of my company is “We care” Lawncare and Landscaping, LLC we are licensed and insured! 2022 will make it three years we have been in business. Being able to gain all the knowledge while working for several different companies felt like a school or a trade; well at least that’s how I treated it; it helped me learn how to run my business for sure. I am very blessed and thankful to be given the opportunity to help others. Thank you Voyageatl for this opportunity love you guys and stay blessed!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Owning a business is not easy but it is not hard. Just like life it comes with some ups and downs. You never stop learning. I am still growing. My business is at its 3rd year. Of course, you will have bad days but you have to stay positive because being negative will only make it worse. Think positive! The road for me has been smooth so for. As long as you have patience, people you can trust, good customer service, loyal clients and make good financial decisions you will be great.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a landscaper. I own a 5 star lawn care and landscaping business in Atlanta, Georgia. You can search us on google @ “We care” Lawncare and Landscaping, LLC. I am most proud of my decision I made after dropping out of college. I really didn’t know what my “Plan B” would be because growing up, I would always tell myself I was going to play professional baseball. Me being me is what sets me apart from others. I’m young, I don’t mind meeting new people and networking, I like to invest, I am a jack of all trades.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I would say my mom and my grandfather which is her father. Just in life period they taught me everything. How to be a man. My mother raised me and my two sisters. My grandfather played a big role in my life as well because he taught me how to shoot a basketball, play instruments, work a computer, jump, ride a bike, work a camera, etc., I mean you name it lol he taught me a lot. As far as the business, my mother played a big role because she is the only one who believed in me and helped me get my business started.
Contact Info:
- Email: Wecarelawnlandscape@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/wecarelawncareandlandscaping
- Facebook: Facebook.come/Elijaharnold
- Other: TikTok.com/wecarelawncareandlandscaping
