Student Profile - Blaine Mickens

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Although Blaine Mickens wrote a business plan for a candy sales partnership with classmate Derric Studamire during the E CITY program at Whitney Young School two years ago, the 11^th grader now has his energies focused on a lawn care business:  “Lawn Groomers- We make your lawn look as good as you do.”  He knows that many of the same business concepts apply, whether you’re appealing to a customer’s sweet tooth or their more basic needs for services. 

Blaine branched out into lawn care last spring, when his mother lost her job and he felt compelled to help with expenses at home.  Today he cares for the lawns of 10 individual customers and four commercial lots.

Although the E CITY training gave him the knowledge he needed to operate a small business profitably, a good soul from Blaine’s church picked up the torch and helped him bring it all to fruition.  Mr. Willie Brantley, “…took a liking to me, I guess.  He connected me with the people at Mt. Pleasant Homes Development, and he helped me write a contract to take care of their lots where there are abandoned apartment buildings.  He even taught me to write a bid, that tells what I am willing to do, and for how much.”  Willie also loads young Blaine and his mowers into his truck and transports him to his lawn jobs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  A friend’s uncle hauls him around on Tuesday and Thursday

Blaine as a Emcee at the breakfast

ome of my customers are older people, and you know, they only get checks once a month.  Sometimes they have to use their money to buy medications, so I do their lawns for free, sometimes,” explains the young entrepreneur who obviously has a huge heart…and yet a good dose of wisdom, too. 

After all, how many sixteen year olds have the sense to put their earnings back into their business?  “I have a partner, and we split the money and I put my earnings back into the business because I’m getting ready to buy a weed whacker. ”   Blaine explains that his current equipment consists of three lawn mowers- “…one was my dad’s, and two others came from the junk yard- my friend’s dad fixed them up for me.  And gas costs me about $10 per week.”

Blaine and Derrick with Ray, a member of the Board of Directors

What has he learned during his first summer as a business operator?  “Weeding with your hands is hard work, first of all…” he explains, laughing.  “I’ve learned that business is about pleasing people.  Do it right the first time, and they often throw a tip in.”  “I’ve learned how to cut grass in a diamond shape…that’s kind of fun,” he admits, chuckling again.  “And I’ve learned how to read a contract.”

And we’ll tell you that Blaine has learned plenty of people skills, too:  “Now, let me ask you a few questions,” he says after the spotlight has been focused on him long enough.  “Tell me how your family is doing…”  Look out- he may sell you lawn care service, but he’ll steal your heart.

Blaine’s wish list:  “A weed whacker…with all the attachments!”