I started working for a local lawn care company in 1985.  I worked on a mowing crew for 2 years.  I started applying fertilizer and weed control in 1986.  It was a great seasonal job that allowed me to work my way through high schools and college.  I graduated Calvin College with a bachelor’s of science degree in Accountancy in 1993.  I worked the summer of 1993 fertilizing lawns and took a job in the fall at Source Club (Meijers’ attempt at a warehouse club).  When I was at Source Club for one month, they closed their doors.  I decided that my heart was in lawn care.   I started Tuff Turf during the winter of 1993-1994.  I knocked on doors and hung a lot of flyers advertising my service.  I ended my first year with 350 fertilization and weed control customers.  My mother worked part time as my secretary, which was convenient because I had moved back into my parents’ basement.

I hired my first technician in 1995 and shared the technician with a colleague since I did not need a full time technician.  In 2000 I had 2 full time technicians and hired a part time secretary since the office work required more hours than my mother wanted to work.  In the fall of 2000, the owner of Molebusters, Lee Bunker, passed away in a tragic accident.  I purchased the business from his widow.

As of the spring of 2011,  I have a full time assistant, a full time service manager, and 8 full time technicians.  The mole business has really grown.  I have 2 full time mole technicians, and one technician who gasses lawns 3 days a week.

My equipment has evolved over the years.  I used to walk behind a motorized push spreader.  I bought my first riding fertilizer machine in 1995, and started to make my own machines in 1996, replacing the equipment every other year.  My fleet of trucks keeps changing also.  I customize my trucks so each truck is specially equipped for the services it provides.  I put the first mole on my truck in 2004.  For my 2008 truck I have changed the artwork and did a custom vehicle wrap.  2009 is when I was told I bumped my head hard and switched my color schemes to flourescent orange and green.  I have not been able to convince my wife Vickie how nice her mini van would look with orange rims and a mole on the roof.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

Sincerely,

Jim Zylstra, Owner