Building Their Future: Rob and David’s First Year as TruGreen Franchise Owners
One year ago, Rob Miller and David Mayson took ownership of TruGreen West Surrey and North Hampshire.
Today, they are building on the strong foundations of an established business while serving customers across Surrey and Hampshire under one of the UK’s most recognised lawn care brands.
For Rob and David, becoming TruGreen franchise owners was never about chasing a job title. It was about creating more control over their future, seizing an opportunity when it arose and building something of their own.
When Opportunity Came Knocking
The opportunity arose when Ollie Green, who had owned and operated TruGreen West Surrey and North Hampshire since 2005, decided it was time to step back and focus on retirement 
Rather than selling the business to an outside buyer, the territory transitioned into the hands of two people who already understood exactly what made it successful.
Having spent years working as professional TruGreen lawn care technicians, Rob and David knew the customers, the area, and the services inside out. They had built relationships across the territory and taken pride in helping homeowners achieve healthier, greener lawns through expert lawn care treatments.
For them, ownership felt like a natural next step.
“We both enjoy the work and wanted to continue doing it,”
“We get on very well personally and in a working relationship. So, it made sense for us to be an official partnership.” Rob Miller
Their decision was not driven by a desire to do something completely different. Instead, it was about taking greater ownership of their future and turning something they already believed in into a business of their own.
Why the TruGreen Franchise Model Appealed
One of the biggest barriers to starting a business is uncertainty.
- Can you find customers?
- Will people trust your brand?
- How long will it take to build a reputation?
For Rob and David, many of those foundations were already in place.
They stepped into an established TruGreen franchise with a loyal customer base, years of local reputation and proven systems already operating successfully.
Combined with the support of the wider TruGreen network, it allowed them to focus on developing the business rather than building one from the ground up.
That is one of the reasons franchise ownerships continues to appeal to ambitious individuals looking for an alternative to starting an independent business alone.
Building Something of Their Own
While their role has changed over the last year, their motivation remains the same:
- Deliver a great service.
- Build trust with customers.
- Take pride in the results.
As lawn care specialists, Rob and David understand that customers are not simply paying for treatments. They are placing trust in someone to care for an important part of their home.
“You get a sense of pride when you can do a good job and deliver what a customer is hoping for, if not better, and we gain their trust through that we can then maintain their lawn at that quality,” David Mayson
That focus on customer relationships has helped TruGreen build long-term loyalty across the UK, with many customers staying with their local franchise for years.
A Different Route Into Business Ownership
Many successful franchise owners do not start with extensive business experience. What they often have is the desire to build something for themselves, the willingness to learn and the ambition to take control of their future.
Rob and David’s story demonstrates that there can be another route into business ownership. Their success did not start with a corporate background or years of running businesses.
By taking over an established franchise from a retiring owner, they were able to combine their practical experience with the support, systems and reputation that come with being part of the TruGreen network.
Could Franchise Ownership Be Your Next Step?
Whether you are looking for greater control over your future, a chance to run your own business, or the opportunity to build on an established customer base, franchise ownership can offer a proven route into business ownership.
