Phil Castle, The Business Times

It’s a busy time of year for Dustin McPhail.

There are lawns to aerate, fertilize and mow. There are bushes to trim and yards to clean. And there are miles to go before McPhail can finally call it a day.

But the owner of the Never McPhail aeration and lawn service in Grand Junction never tires of his duties, even during the hectic spring rush. McPhail said he enjoys the relationships he’s established with his customers over the years and different places he works.

“My office changes every 15 minutes,” he said.

McPhail has been working in the lawn care business since he was in college and discovered how much extra money he could earn aerating lawns.

He went into business for himself after attending Colorado Mesa University and added other services to his operation.

In addition to aeration and mowing, McPhail offers edging, fertilization, pruning, trimming and weed control. General yard cleanup services keep him especially busy in the spring and fall, he said.

McPhail handles residential and commercial accounts.

He doesn’t offer landscaping, however. “I try not to run a shovel,” he said.

McPhail said many of the customers he began working for when he started his business more than a decade ago continue to sign up for his services season after season.

There are perks that come with such long-term relationships, including the food his customers often share with him. “I work for cookies,” he joked. “Cookies are good.”

But McPhail also works hard to expand his customer base and offers incentives to do so. New customers who sign a seasonal contract receive the first two months of mowing and trimming for free. Existing customers who refer new clients also receive incentives. The offers also constitute a marketing tool that differentiates his operation from the competition, he said.

McPhail said his business has grown to the point he’ll soon need to hire additional employees. But for now, he’ll keep enjoying the busy time of year.

For more information about the Never McPhail aeration and lawn service, call 201-6654 or visit www.nevermcphail.com.