When he is not in school or hanging out with friends, junior Ricky Giltrop is running his landscape company as one of the youngest entrepreneurs in Fenton. Giltrop Grass & Landscape was launched, developed, and continues to grow today solely by the work of the 17-year-old himself.

“I started my business in the summer going into seventh grade. This is now my fifth year. I run all the management myself. I do all the finances, meeting with clients, selling jobs, buying equipment and managing the operations. I have four employees that work with me to complete the actual services,” he said.

Even as a young child, Ricky believed he would be able to start and run his own landscape company. Despite this confidence, more comes to operating a grass company than just mowing the lawn; unexpected challenges can arise that can be difficult to deal with.

“The challenges I have are meeting the demand in the industry” Giltrop said. “There is a big need for these types of services right now. Also, managing the money and making sure the business continues to be successful is very strenuous.”

While having the responsibility of dealing with clients and operating equipment, some say 17 is too young to operate a business.

“The hardest part about running a business especially at this age is establishing credibility in the field and having adults trust myself and my company to do these multi-thousand dollar jobs,” Giltrop said. “With the economy [being] good and people having extra income, I am booked all the way up until December right now.”
Many of the Giltrop Grass employees are dedicated just as much as the owner, and believe in the company as well.

“Ricky is a incredible business man that will be the next Bill Gates,” said employee Ryan Parks. “His business plan is one of the most perfect business plans I have ever seen. I love working for Giltrop Grass because I feel like I’m a part of a brotherhood. It is an awesome local landscaping company [anyone] should hire today.”

Anyone interested in any landscape work done by Giltrop Grass can contact them at 1-989-395-0428.