Meet Yevetta
As a Memphis, TN local, Yevetta is using her family-owned lawncare business to keep the neighborhood vibrant and give back to the community’s young people through jobs and training opportunities. With loan capital from Grameen America, Yevetta was able to purchase a new lawnmower that doubled their daily job count from 10 to 20 properties.
“I’m always looking for ways to grow the neighborhood. I grew up sitting on the front porch and waving to people passing by. When I see blight, especially in a low-income neighborhood, I just want to make the community look nice.”
In 2020, Yevetta’s husband started cutting grass in the community and Yevetta had the idea to expand from small, residential jobs to a full-fledged lawncare business. Seeing an opportunity for collaboration, Yevetta reached out to the city’s government to start a business relationship and develop contracting jobs. Yevetta’s business specializes in clearing vacant or abandoned properties, restoring blighted areas, and helping get properties up to code.
“I helped move the business forward. The first year was a crawl because I was finding my footing and navigating the world of owning our own business. At first, I didn’t know about bookkeeping and separating business and personal expenses. I’m still learning every day, and I never want to stop learning.”
While Yevetta was in the community hosting a pop-up stand, she first learned about Grameen America’s program. For Yevetta, the deciding factor to join Grameen America was knowing her friend and fellow small business owner, Barbara, was also in the program. In early 2024, Yevetta joined Grameen America and used the first loan capital to buy new mowers and a printer for her office. With her most recent loan, Yevetta was able to buy a $1,500 lawnmower that significantly increases output when cutting grass.
“The most recent loan I received from Grameen America allowed me to buy a new lawnmower that I’m sitting on with better tires. This piece of equipment prevents flat tires and has zero-turn steering, allowing the business to go from 10 properties a day to 20 properties a day and increasing income.”
In addition to the loan capital supporting her business’s growth, Yevetta has also seen increases in her credit score, benefited from financial and business education, and found valuable camaraderie and connection among other small business owners in the community, all made possible through the Grameen America program.
“Before Grameen America, being an entrepreneur was lonely at times, and it was hard for me to meet other entrepreneurs. I’ve never had a tight-knit community like this before. We hold each other accountable, share learning opportunities, bounce ideas off each other, and remind each other to do self-care. I wouldn’t be where I am today without this group of entrepreneurs.”
“My favorite part about owning my own business is being able to be my own person and not have to change who I am. My husband is my biggest cheerleader. We work together well because we help each other reach both of our potentials. My strength is research, organization, and paperwork, and my husband’s strength is being outside and hiring.”
Yevetta and her husband hire contractors through word-of-mouth, from church, the neighborhood, and the local gas station where her husband chats with locals, often prioritizing at-risk youth or young adults in the community. Their mission is to train young people and offer opportunities to succeed.
“I’ve always been a giver. I see so much potential in our community’s youth. Being a business owner shows young people that if I can do it, they can too. I try to be a role model, leading by example and carrying myself with respect.”
Yevetta’s goal is to continue securing more contracts and purchasing additional vehicles and equipment to scale and keep up with the growing demand for their services. She also hopes to hire full-time employees and more contractors in the next year.