R.J. Duarte is not coinciding with the current trend of going to college. In his words: ” “That’s the way society is: They want to hear about your degree, not your company.”
At the age of 8, Duarte began cutting grass. In Middle school, he partnered with a friend and started his business. His tireless work ethic leading into high school led him to triple his annual revenue each year, and after his friend left for college he took the reigns, but he saw an opportunity to expand.
Instead of sticking with individual clients, Duarte saw a gap in the market: Premium landscaping with large clients. “It’s higher margins for more risk,” he says. “That comes with headaches, but without headaches, there’s no reward.”
Following his re-branding, Duarte has seen significant growth in his business. So much growth in fact, that he rejected his acceptance to Colorado State University to continue his pursuit of GreenWorks landscaping – which now operates with four trucks and a peak-season crew of 12 to 15 people – mostly high school students.
“College wasn’t for me,” he says. That’s because at the time, his landscaping business was pulling in six figures in annual revenue. “I figured I should stick with this.” This year, GreenWorx is expected to hit $750,000 in revenue…. It’s safe to say he made the right choice.
I have always admired and appreciated blue collar workers. Without them, the world would fall apart, and R.J. is a perfect example of a great work ethic. He ignored the current societal pressure to go to college for a degree, and he is certainly bearing the fruit of his labor. Unlike most modern career paths, you don’t need a degree for entrepreneurship. It is simply about finding your passion and pursuing it to the highest of your ability. Duarte is the embodiment of the spirit of entrepreneurship, and his drive and determination is inspiring to say the least.
Fascinating that a small goal to make some money as a kid turned into a high 6-figure, college replacing, money making, full-fledged business. It is an inspiring story specifically in the sense that all of us are not bound by the cultural norms of our environment.
I like how you highlighted his work ethic as a driving force in his success. “He is certainly bearing the fruit of his labor.”