You could say it started out innocently enough.

Jonathan Reidling's 11-year-old son Dakota asked if he could borrow his lawn mower and cut the neighbor's yard for some extra money.

"School was out for the summer, and he was looking for something to do," Reidling said. "And I figured, 'Who am I to tell him no?' I thought he'd do maybe one or two yards here and there, and that's it."

Little did Reidling know that when he let Dakota borrow his mower, it'd be the start of Reidling's Lawn Squad.

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"It grew pretty quick," Reidling said. "He began to get customer after customer, just in our neighborhood alone. Then it grew even bigger these past two summers he's been doing it on his own."

And that's when Dakota, now 13, called his father to ask another question.

"He called me again and asked, 'Dad, why not join me so we can do this as a legit business?'" Reidling said. "I got to thinking, and so I created the website, filed the paperwork and joined the Chamber of Commerce so we can move towards making this a full-time operation."

With Dakota back in school during the week and Reidling working full-time, that leaves the bulk of their work to be done Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Still, the father and son duo average more than 15 yards a week.

"I'd say that's pretty dadgum good for a Friday, Saturday and Sunday," Reidling said.

The addition of the elder Reidling this summer also meant the new business could expand its services. In addition to maintaining your lawn, the pair offers hedge trimming, pressure washing, tree trimming, lighting, sprinkler system installation and repairs.

"We have big plans on the horizon for Reidling's Lawn Squad," Reidling said. "My son Dakota, to be 13 years old, he has such a strong work ethic and talent. It's been great watching him grow and learning about the ins and outs of running a business. I figured, if anything, at least he's learning that. But as it grew, and as we're growing, Dakota is learning that in order to grow, you have to offer more services. You also have to reach out to more people."

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But when new customers notice 13-year-old Dakota working alongside his father, it also gives Reidling the chance to tell their story.

"I always tell people, it started with him," Reidling said. "It's rare to see a young person like that show up on a job, treating customers with respect. They can't believe how hard of a worker he is. Kids his age would rather be playing video games inside. But it's his work ethic and his talent that sets him apart from the rest."

Reidling's Lawn Squad will be hosting a ribbon cutting with the Santa Rosa County Chamber of Commerce at 8:30 a.m. Friday at Grover T's BBQ Restaurant in Milton.

For more information, visit reidlingslawnsquad.com or call 850-686-9848.

Kalyn Wolfe is a freelance columnist for the News Journal. Send new business tips to pcolanewbiz@gmail.com. 

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Reidling’s Lawn Squad in Milton offers suite of lawn care services