At just 15 years old, Quinn Childress was living on Willow Street in Fayetteville, Arkansas, after being kicked out of his home. A local family took him in — and gave him more than just a roof over his head. They handed him a push mower. 

“I started knocking on doors and mowing lawns,” Quinn said. “That’s how it all began.” 

That mower planted the first seed for what would become Willow St. Lawns, a fast-growing lawn care company now operating in 15 states. Officially established in 2018, Willow St. Lawns provides both commercial and residential services and is steadily expanding into a national brand — thanks to Quinn’s grit, vision, and the right support at the right time. 

Finding the Right Partner in CU 

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Quinn’s credit took a hit. Despite the promise of his growing business, traditional lenders weren’t willing to take a chance. That changed when Rodrigo Salas, Executive Director at Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll), referred him to Communities Unlimited (CU). 

Quinn began working with CU in October 2023, starting with the Entrepreneurship Team. He has received intensive one-on-one technical assistance from Area Director Brian Wells. 

Quinn and Brian meet weekly, diving into projections, financials, and strategy. Quinn credits Brian with helping him learn how to use data to guide his business — a key factor in Willow St. Lawns’ rapid growth. 

“Brian’s been amazing,” Quinn said. “I have nothing but great things to say about him.” 

Strategic Loans for Sustainable Growth 

Recognizing the need for capital, Brian referred Quinn to CU’s Lending Team, where he connected with Area Director Debra Williams. Together, they secured two critical loans to fuel expansion. 

The first loan, issued in early 2024, was used to purchase a truck, acquire new equipment, fund marketing, and provide working capital. A second loan, funded through the Walton Family Foundation in May 2025, added more working capital and supported the purchase of additional trucks to fulfill new contracts. 

“Working with Debra was great,” Quinn said. “She educated me throughout the process, offered options, and ultimately helped me grow.” 

One of the most immediate impacts? Hiring a general manager. 

“That freed me up to focus on expansion,” Quinn said. 

Growth by the Numbers 

The results speak for themselves. Since partnering with CU, Willow St. Lawns has more than doubled in size — both financially and operationally. Revenue grew by 125% from 2023 to 2024, with another 24% increase projected for 2025. Today, Quinn oversees a team that includes a general manager, operations manager, subcontractors, and dozens of lawn care professionals across multiple states. 

“With each new state we expand into, we’re creating more jobs,” he said. 

His growth strategy is deliberate. After securing market share in Northwest Arkansas, Quinn began identifying ideal clients and replicating his model across new regions. Inquiries began rolling in from Kentucky, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania. Then came tower contracts — agreements to maintain the grounds around cell and utility towers — and larger commercial accounts. 

He continues to engage with CU’s Entrepreneurship Team, working on strategies to manage cash flow, pay off debt, establish reserve and tax accounts, and convert his general manager from a contractor to a full-time employee. 

“Quinn is a true entrepreneur,” said CU’s Brian Wells. “He sets high goals for himself and constantly thinks about how to grow his business. Then, he goes out and executes his plans. It’s very satisfying to work with someone like him, who has a terrific business but is humble enough to seek advice in areas where he doesn’t have all the answers.” 

Scaling Smart with Lawnly 

As demand grew, Quinn co-developed a tech solution: Lawnly, a booking platform that connects customers with vetted lawn care providers in their area. 

“Lawnly helps us scale without having to buy new equipment in every location,” Quinn said. “We can take jobs in other states and use Lawnly to find providers there. It’s helping us grow efficiently.” 

Willow St. Lawns earns a share of every Lawnly-booked job, using the platform to streamline logistics for both residential and commercial services. 

Looking Ahead 

Quinn is now focused on transforming Willow St. Lawns into a national leader. 

“Our vision is ‘planting seeds of hope,’” he said. “We want to become the number one lawn mowing company — not just in the region, but in the country.” 

With plans to operate in all 50 states and capture more than 5% of the national lawn care market, Quinn is breaking new ground. No single company currently owns that much market share — but he’s determined to be the first. 

Even as the business scales, Quinn remains grounded in gratitude.