Bringing the Boardroom to the Backyard: SCORE helps a "landsculpting" business to conquer suburban jungles.

SCORE: Midlands Chapter
Columbia, SC

Baby boomer Bill Kunze did what many entrepreneurs over age 50 dream to do -- he launched a new business. After working 32 years in the insurance industry, Bill traded his office computer for hedge clippers and in 1996 opened Jungle Taming, a lawn care and yard service business in Columbia, S.C. Jungle Taming, a distinctive father-and-son enterprise grew out of son Jonathan's high school landscaping service before going to college.

Bill and Jonathan began their business by saving rosebushes throughout Northeast Columbia and Forest Acres. For seven years, Bill and Jonathan kept the business afloat by providing exceptional customer service, but Jungle Taming struggled with planning and marketing of the business. With Jonathan temporarily leaving the business for college, Bill knew that he needed to bring the boardroom mentality to the backyard business.

In 2003, Bill contacted SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" for business coaching and advice. He was paired with SCORE counselor Walt Canfield, a former marketing executive, to help set the business on course.

Walt described Bill as strong in the face of initial discouragement from friends and family. But he felt strongly that Jungle Taming could be developed into a small business success story. Bill went on to earn a 228-hour land management certification from Midlands Technical College in 2004.

"For an entrepreneur with limited capital, sometimes the going gets rough--particularly when you run into unforeseen business problems," Bill said. "What you really need is a third party who believes in you and is willing to keep trying as long as you apply yourself."

During their first years in business, Bill and Jonathan saw the need for landscaping in their community. Walt helped them to streamline their business plan to fill a niche, which they call "landsculpting."

Armed with Walt's insight, Jungle Taming honed its conservation-minded landsculpting, popular with gardeners because it requires an acute understanding of plants. Bill and Jonathan often work alongside their clients, teaching them how to care for neglected bushes and how to avoid common pitfalls.

Walt continues to meet with Bill and Jonathan on a regular basis to help them refine their business strategy, reminding them to think like CEOs and take ownership for the direction of their company. All three businessmen are confident that the landsculpting concept has penetrated the Columbia market.

"Walt has given us the confidence to take our business to the next level," Jonathan said. "We plan to help Columbia residents reclaim their yards for a very long time."

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