More than 20 years ago, Patrick Vogt started mowing grass, picking up jobs in the summer while attending Park Hill High School.
A young entrepreneur, Vogt mowed and did various lawn projects for a handful of people through high school and into college for a while before focusing on his studies at UMKC, where he majored in business.
The lawn business never got out of his system and today, Vogt runs By the Blade Lawn & Landscaping at 8904 NW 64th Street in his hometown of Parkville.
“I didn’t think it would turn into this,” Vogt said of his high school business that turned into a company that employees 30 people. “I saw the fruits of my labors at the time and I wanted to make a difference for people, whatever they needed done. That is probably the biggest reason I stayed in it. It was good income and I helped people and I saw a difference in what I did compared to some jobs.”
The business has grown a lot in the years since mowing yards. The company now does fertilization, irrigation, building swimming pools, decks, screened in porches and outdoor living areas.
Despite a downturn in the economy nearly a decade ago, Vogt noticed the high-end clients continued to build and it hasn’t slowed down yet. Now that fall is here, he stated that lawn care and landscaping are still in high demand, while the company is still able to do large projects such as swimming pools and outdoor living area and have them ready by the next spring.
“We don’t really slow down anymore, but fall is a good construction season,” said Vogt, whose company has now more than 500 customers.