Two Sarnia teenagers have built a small business from the ground up, combining hard work, word-of-mouth, and consistent service to offer lawn and yard care across the community.
Luke Laevens, 17, and Luca Andali, 16, launched L&L Lawn Care in April 2024. The business began with grass cutting and has since expanded to include snow removal, spring yard cleanups, junk removal, power washing, and gutter cleaning. Working evenings, weekends, and school breaks, the two have built a client base in Sarnia and Bright’s Grove.
“We wanted to work together and have flexible hours while helping and connecting with the community,” they said. The pair promoted their services by knocking on doors, distributing flyers, and posting to social media. Over time, they gained repeat customers and were hired to maintain several rental properties.
At first, they shared one vehicle and packed their equipment into the trunk of a car. “Now we both have our licenses, a truck, and a new vehicle. No more lawnmowers and weed whackers in the trunk.”
Laevens and Andali manage the business on their own, including scheduling, communication, and budgeting. One of them used the business as the focus of a marketing project at school. The other saved earnings from their first summer to buy a truck to support their work.
In March 2025, they were awarded a $3,000 Summer Company Business Grant through a Government of Ontario program for youth entrepreneurs. They used the funding to purchase a power washer and, most importantly, a second truck to expand their services.
Looking ahead, they plan to continue operating L&L Lawn Care while living in Sarnia, with hopes of growing the business into a year-round operation serving the Sarnia-Lambton community.
“Start small, keep it simple, and don’t try and do everything at once. Start with one thing and get good at it. Learn from your mistakes; not everything will go smoothly. If something goes wrong, you fix it because the customer is always right and we aim to make them happy. Stay focused and persistent. Starting a business takes time.”
Those interested in lawn care, yard cleanups, or other services can reach L&L Lawn Care at 519-312-1532 or 226-349-4630.
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