Running your own business has lots of obvious benefits such as financial independence, the freedom to work your own hours, to grow the business and offer employment to others.

Yet according to leading franchisor ServiceMaster, owning a TruGreen lawn care franchise and helping customers to take care of their lawns could also make a difference to our environment. The technical team at TruGreen say that having a perfect lawn will not only fill your neighbours with envy but is also an environmental workhorse, offering some excellent ecological benefits.

Here’s a rundown of what healthy lawns do to help our environment:

• Provide an important response to climate change concerns by removing five percent of all carbon dioxide in our atmosphere
• Moderate temperature. On any one street a row of eight houses with front lawns can have the cooling 75 degrees (Fahrenheit), the adjacent turf will remain closer to 56 degrees (F).
• Trap millions of tons of dust and dirt
• A lawn can absorb 6,000 gallons of rainwater for every 10,000 square feet of lawn, thereby reducing the amount of run off and reducing the risk of flood in at risk areas
• 2,500 square feet of lawn produces enough oxygen for a family of four

TruGreen has also been benefiting from the recent addition of a new Network Manager. Former Wembley Head Groundsman Steve Welch joined the TruGreen team late last year and has been tasked with helping to grow and develop the professional lawn care business further.

Steve’s appointment, coupled with the focused marketing plans for the TruGreen business, demonstrates the level of support offered by ServiceMaster to new businesses. Says Hannah Banfield, Head of Marketing for TruGreen; “2010 will be an exciting year for TruGreen. With Steve’s technical acumen and industry experience, a heightened marketing awareness programme and a host of supporting activities, investing in a TruGreen lawn care franchise is a smart move for anyone looking to set up in business.”

Ken Dennis is head of sales at ServiceMaster, the franchisor behind the TruGreen network. He believes a TruGreen franchise is a great way of taking some of the stress out of becoming your own boss. He explains; “As we have a tried and tested business model in place we can help people avoid many of the risks usually associated with start ups. However, we do know it’s a big step for people to invest in a franchise and would recommend they attend a TruGreen Discovery Day which is an informal gathering where anyone who is interested can come along to find out more information and ask questions.”

“Creating and maintaining a beautiful lawn that customers can be proud of is extremely rewarding. The feedback from our business owners when they are able to transform a tired weed ridden patch of grass in to a lush green lawn is really positive. With the added environmental benefits a healthy lawn can provide there is no better time to come on board with a TruGreen professional lawn care business.”

“Starting a TruGreen business at this time of year is a good idea as it ensures you are professionally trained and ready to go in time for the spring season when the lawn is at the beginning of its growth cycle and our business owners are at their busiest. It means that a year long lawn care package can be planned and implemented for customers and franchisees can really build a strong relationship with them over the course of the year.”

TruGreen franchisees benefit from an intensive training programme and are provided with all of the tools, products, software, supplies and equipment needed to reach an advanced level of lawn management as part of the initial investment.

The TruGreen franchise network is operated by ServiceMaster, as a founding member of the British Franchise Association the company is well known and trusted and has been operating franchise networks throughout the UK for over 50 years.

TruGreen training courses are now at capacity for January and February but there is still availability for March and April.

To find out more about TruGreen or to book your place on a TruGreen Discovery Day contact Ken Dennis at ServiceMaster on 0116 275 9000, email franchisesales@servicemaster.co.uk or visit www.servicemaster.co.uk.