Growing More Than Lawns: Chris Martin’s Journey to Local Ownership with Lawn Pride

For Chris Martin, becoming a Lawn Pride® franchise owner wasn’t just a career move, it was a chance to claim his future.

“I wanted to own something. I wanted to build a legacy,” he says. After years in roles where he felt like “one of many,” Chris knew he wanted to be part of something larger, something where his effort directly shaped his success—not just adding another zero to a billionaire’s bottom line.

That desire for meaning, ownership, and community brought him to Lawn Pride.

What stood out to Chris was the brand’s deep roots. “The original location in Indianapolis has been a pillar in the community for over 40 years,” he explains. “They built a brand with higher-than-average customer retention and a model that’s repeatable in any market.” For Chris, entering a system with proven results (and room to grow) felt like the right path forward.

Transitioning into ownership has been both energizing and rewarding. He spends more time outdoors, engages directly with customers, and sees the immediate impact of his work. “Being an owner as opposed to one of many is a huge change,” he says. “It’s been healthy.”

And he hasn’t faced the journey alone.

Lawn Pride’s support team helped him build his marketing plan, understand his ideal customer, secure the right equipment, complete technical training, and establish strong customer-retention practices. “Those have been the big pieces,” he shares. “That kind of guidance helps you navigate year one and build momentum.”

But support didn’t stop with Lawn Pride. Chris found a strong community within the broader Neighborly® network. Brands like Five Star Painting®, Mosquito Joe®, and Window Genie® stepped in, inviting him to networking groups, offering advice, and even introducing him to new customers. “It gives me an avenue to bounce ideas around,” he says. “And a place to vent with business owners facing the same challenges.”

Today, Chris is energized by what’s ahead. He launched his business in a market where Lawn Pride was previously unknown, but the results of year one are already compounding. “As we build our customer base, those results lead to a virtuous cycle,” he explains.

What Chris loves most is turning a personal passion into a thriving business. “I’ve always loved lawn care. Now I get to do that professionally—and put smiles on customers’ faces.”

His advice to aspiring franchise owners is simple: If you enjoy being outside, value the opportunity for recurring revenue, and want to build something meaningful and visible, Lawn Pride may be exactly the opportunity you're looking for.