Jennifer Jones and Brent Laing have competed in curling Team Canada in a total of three The Olympic Games – with Jennifer winning Gold in 2014 – so they both know a thing or two about determination. Now, after retiring from competition, they are bringing that same competitive spirit and dedication to their family lawn care franchise. Weed Manin Ontario, Canada.
“The transition has been really fun,” Jones says of the change from ice to grass.” After retiring from competition (in April 2024) and looking for what to do next, it seemed like a good fit. well. business and just dealing with customers and trying to learn the business has been a lot of fun.”
Weed Man
Ontario based lawn care company Weed Manranked #281 in the 2024 Franchise 500was already known to Laing – his parents opened it first franchise in 1982, then purchased a neighboring territory in 1992. Laing, who is a three-time Canadian and world champion who he narrowly missed a medal at the 2018 Olympics, worked in the franchise as a teenager and early 20s. The brand, he explained, has become part of the fabric of his family, and when his parents started talking about selling, he and Jones brought them into consideration.
“My mom and dad put their blood, sweat and tears into this for 40 years,” he says, “regardless of who would buy it, it would just be weird not to have it in the family.”
So when his parents finally decided to retire earlier this year, it seemed perfect ENTREPRENEURS opportunities for Jones and Laing.
“We were trying to start a business or create an entrepreneurial environment for our family,” says Jones, “and so it seemed like the perfect fit.”
Olympic lessons
As well as being a world champion Olympic athlete translates to franchise? Jones — who's a lawyer by trade, so she's not entirely new to the business environment — thinks so.
“It's competitive nature and always trying to be better,” she says. “As an athlete, you're never satisfied with the status quo. You're always trying to find ways to be better.”
She adds that work ethicself-confidence and a willingness to take constructive criticism are also skills and traits she is carrying over from competing into her exclusive life.
Community first
Laing and Jones are committed to fostering a sense of community through their franchise. They emphasize the importance of local involvement and customer relationships, an approach introduced by Laing's father when he opened the franchise in the 1980s.
“It was just my dad at first, him and a truck, knocking on doors,” says Laing, “and we've never forgotten that, it's a family business. It's a big company, but we've always been focused .that's what the Laing family business is for.”
Jones points out that they are literally a community-based business – their office is right in the center of town – and adds that this visibility it's essential to being the kind of business they are.
“We get to know our customers that way,” she says, “they come through the office and I love hearing their stories.”
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Balancing family and business
like parents and business owners, Jones and Laing are understandably busy. They have two daughters together who are under 13 and Laing has an older son from a previous marriage. According to Jones, running a thriving franchise isn't much different from competitive curling, as far as the whole family is concerned.
“It's been our life since the kids were little,” she says of the busy schedule. “Our two daughters have been on the road with us their whole lives and have realized that flexibility is a part of our lives. So it's just become part of our family, just like curling.”
of family feelingincluding their children helping in the office, is something they want to keep. Both Jones and Laing said they feel a significant responsibility to the legacy of Laing's parents – both in keeping the business strong and continuing the small business think it made him successful.
“It's a balancing act,” says Laing, “we have to make sure we keep it local and family focused and make sure we're always answering the phones and not getting too corporate. We want to make money, we want to grow, but it's all about that reputation that mum and dad have worked so hard to build.”
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