Vital Statistics:
Founded: 1981
Headquarters: Canal Fulton, OH (Stark Co.)
Employees: 36
Industry : Lawn care / Landscaping (www.thegrassmaster.com)

Background:
Grass Master, Inc., was established in 1981 by Dave Hofacre in the basement of his Massillon duplex. A graduate of ATI / OSU, Hofacre worked diligently to grow the business and eventually moved the company to Canal Fulton in 1986. In 1989, he added mowing and maintenance services. The company became "full-service" in 1989 with the addition of landscaping services. The success allowed the company to open a West Cleveland branch earlier this year.

Today, Grass Master provides lawn and landscaping services to seven Northeast Ohio counties and is still growing.

Challenges:
Early on, Grass Master faced the traditional competitors: start-ups and sell-outs. It even attracted a fair amount of people looking to buy the business. (It is not for sale!) It's also faced the challenges of selling a luxury service in the depressed economy after 9/11, as well as adapting to the volatility in gas prices and product costs.

Grass Master challenged the status quo by emphasizing the quality of service, rather than gearing itself to quantity. So far, it has served the customers, and the company, well.

Results: Sales growth, new markets and milestones
Since 2001, Grass Master has experienced a 43 percent sales growth. It's expanded services into seven counties and opened a new branch in the West Cleveland market. This year, it has doubled its market share.

In terms of job creation, the company has added 10 new positions in the last three years. This year, it reached a new company milestone: more than 5000 active customers. The company plans to launch an East Cleveland office in Spring of 2007.

Community Achievements:
2004 People's Choice Award, Stark County Home and Garden Show; Habitat for Humanity; CRCC; Jackson-Belden Chamber of Commerce; Massillon Chamber of Commerce; Adopt-a-Site (Green); BIA Stark County; Junior Achievement; Shop with a Cop (sponsor); Leadership Stark County; Supporter of Boy Scouts of America and the United Way Caring Club.

Clients:
Residential: 5000
Commercial: Pro Football Hall of Fame, Sterling Jewelers, Bank One, First Merit and GFS.

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