Roy Good was running a full‑service landscape business in the early 1980s when Montgomery County, Maryland, introduced strict notification rules for lawn treatments. At first, he thought the regulations were excessive. However, as he watched ecosystems decline and thatch layers thicken, he realized the industry needed a new approach. Phil Catron, a friend and former co-worker at Chemlawn, was already working on a solution. By Jessica Petrucelli
Roy Good was running a full‑service landscape business in the early 1980s when Montgomery County, Maryland, introduced strict notification rules for lawn treatments. At first, he thought the regulations were excessive. However, as he watched ecosystems decline and thatch layers thicken, he realized the industry needed a new approach. Phil Catron, a friend and former co-worker at Chemlawn, was already working on a solution.
When Catron founded NaturaLawn® of America, his mission was to reduce pesticide usage by 85% and focus on growing healthy turf rather than simply killing weeds, and Good understood the assignment. He became convinced of the power of franchising and the importance of joining a movement built on science and innovation.
Today, as the franchise owner of NaturaLawn’s Frederick, Maryland, location, Good continues to champion the company’s core philosophy.
“The exclusive fertilizer is a brand differentiator,” Good said, describing the company’s product as a “full bag of nutrients.”
“It’s not three elements and a clay or stone carrier,” he continued. “Customers stay with us for years and years and years because the results are the proof in the pudding!”
Good now operates a location generating $1.8 million in annual revenue, and he credits NaturaLawn’s extensive training library, interactive learning tools and strong business guidelines for helping franchisees succeed.
“Beyond the technical scope of the business, NaturaLawn of America provides solid business practice guidelines,” he said. “You will have the best fertilizer products available to anyone. You will have options for the best available equipment. You will be provided a script to follow regarding a business plan.”
In addition, Good is candid about the realities of entrepreneurship.
“This won’t be an easy journey, and there’s no silver bullet,” he said. “Think of it as starting a vineyard. You won’t get juice for a few seasons, but when the business matures, you’ll have one of the most fun enterprises out there, and you’ll meet an eclectic group of folks who feel like family.”
After more than 50 years in the industry, Good remains a proud advocate for NaturaLawn’s mission: healthier lawns, healthier ecosystems and a healthier future for the communities he serves.
Jessica Petrucelli