Thirty years ago, Kenny Crenshaw traded riding horses and wrestling steers for killing weeds and beautifying lawns.
A former rodeo cowboy, the Bartlett-based Herbi-Systems Inc. lawn care owner and president lassoed an entrepreneurial dream and poured his free spirit into the business of “farming smaller spaces.”
This year marks his company’s 30th anniversary and in owning up to the signature slogan, “Lemme Kill Your Weeds.”
He began as the sole employee with only one used truck and a typewriter. Today, Herbi-Systems is the largest privately owned lawn care company in the Greater Memphis area with more than 8,000 clients, 39 employees, 31 trucks and computerized operations.
The company serves homeowners as well as industrial, governmental and commercial entities.
According to Crenshaw, he is fine with swapping the great outdoors for working a smaller tract of land.
One of the customers who sings the company’s praises is their longest-running customer – John Linder, a retired salesman from Chicago who has been with Herbi-Systems since 1985. His wife made the original decision to go with the company when the couple lived in the Raleigh area. Becaus he traveled, Linder said it was easier than doing it himself.
Today, he is most impressed with the company’s dependability.
Now a Bartlett resident, Linder said, “They call right before to let me know they are coming and Faye calls me after to check. Cecil (lawn technician) kills my weeds and does a great job. I like the schedule. I don’t have to think about it. And my lawn looks good.”
In the lawn care business, killing weeds is the big thing, according to Crenshaw. But attention to detail in every aspect of lawn care service also is important to him in day-to-day operations.
Crenshaw is known to make personal visits to client homes and to conduct management inspections when requested. In addition, many customers have lauded technicians for remembering to close the gate where pets are kept.
According to Office Manager Lisa Short, “Kenny is adamant about closing the gate. If we ever do get a complaint regarding an open gate, he has said he would send people out to help round up the dogs.”
Today’s business
Herbi-Systems grew 5 percent between 2012 and 2013 in the midst of an ongoing recession.
During growth periods, the company continues to keep a close eye on budget, maintaining its low debt philosophy. All but three of the company’s 31 trucks are paid for, according to Crenshaw.
This year, Herbi-Systems was a finalist in the Memphis Business Journal Small Business Awards (26-60 employee category). Finalist status means Herbi-Systems is among the most successful businesses in the Mid-South.
Last year, the company won two Bartlett Chamber Barty Awards for customer service and marketing. In 2012, Crenshaw was named the Entrepreneur of the Year by the Bartlett Chamber.
Looking forward to the next 30 years, Crenshaw says he plans to relocate into a new facility in 2016.
He is confident that there will always be a new frontier to conquer in the weed-killing business.
