How Acres Lawncare Started (and Almost Died Halfway Through the First Job)

From Fireline's to Lawn Lines — and One Moment of Pure Panic

Most people see the stripes now — the clean edges, commercial equipment, and professionalism — and assume it’s always been this way. What they don’t see is the busted mower, the duct tape, the absolute panic I felt mid-job… and the moment I thought, “F**k. I hope no one seen that.”

This is how Acres Lawncare really started — with a broken lawn mower, a stranger’s half cut yard, and a whole lot of embarrassment.

It Started with Fire

Before I started cutting grass, I was cutting fuel breaks.

I worked structural protection across Alberta during wildfire deployments — clearing brush, prepping homes, and reducing fire risks ahead of moving wildfires. It was property maintenance at its most critical: no frills, just purpose. That’s where I learned how much maintenance matters — not just for looks, but for survival.

Coming off those deployments, I wanted to build something of my own. Something rooted in hard work, discipline, and pride. Something professional. Something real.

That turned into Acres Lawncare — a firefighter-built, Indigenous-owned business with a simple goal: do the job better than anyone else.

And Then My Mower Fell Apart

My first job came from a complete stranger — a lead from my website about a week after I launched it.

I had pitched him on premium service: professional, clean, sharp — “the best cut of your life.”

Halfway through mowing, the handle of my blue 21” Yardwork's mower from Canadian Tire snapped in my hands. The thing had been sitting outside my grandpa’s shed untouched for a year or two… but honestly, it looked more like a decade. The throttle cable pulled tight, maxed out, screaming RPM's, drove forward out of my grasp — then completely died.

I froze, confused and embarrassed.

Embarrassed in every possible way. I had just delivered a sales pitch like I was running a landscaping empire… and my mower had literally collapsed mid-job like it couldn’t handle the pressure.

Duct Tape and a Bit of Acting

Luckily — the customer didn’t see it happen. I played it cool and told him I needed to go grab more gas. That wasn’t a total lie… but mostly, I needed to figure out how to put my mower back together before I lost my first job.

I drove straight to the store, bought a roll of duct tape, and taped the handle back onto the frame. The mower ran — technically. But the control was trash. The handles had so much play I was practically steering it with faith.

Still… I finished the job.

Then I took the money I earned, went to the hardware store, bought nuts, bolts, and washers, and properly fixed that mower myself. That same beat-up machine powered the next wave of jobs. And I made every cut count.

From That First Cut to Real Momentum

The turning point came when I landed my first municipal client for property remediation. That was the moment I knew — “Okay, I’m really doing this.”

From there:

• I reinvested every single dollar back into the business

• Word of mouth picked up fast in Devon

• I had new clients calling every other day

• Equipment got heavier, and I got tired of lifting 500LB aerators into the back of a truck

• I saved up and bought my first enclosed trailer for $6,000 Cash — a total game changer

• No more needing extra help just to move gear

After that came:

• Commercial Mowers

• Large Brush Cutters

• A Fleet of Commercial Weed Eaters, Blowers and Hand-tools

Every new piece of gear meant more confidence, more efficiency, and better results — which led to more clients and more recognition.

What Acres Stands For

• Indigenous-owned. Firefighter-built. Alberta-proud.

• Started with a busted mower, duct tape, and no excuses

• Backed by real grit, professional standards, and a mission to show up and do it right — every time

Want to Work with a Team That Doesn’t Flinch?

We started with nothing but hustle, heart, and hardware held together by willpower. Now we bring that same energy — with better tools, more experience and an unbreakable confidence — to every yard we touch.

Book your lawn service today!