Mower Shop Keeps Up With The Times
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“My biggest selling point is that I’m a servicing dealer. We know the products,” says Leslie Lawrence. Providing quality service has been a priority since he bought his first small mechanic shop in the early 1990’s. Now, his family and other employees carry on the philosophy in the 7,200 sq. ft. showroom/shop of Leslie’s Outdoor Power in Longview, Texas.
From the beginning, Lawrence was determined to change the perception people had of repair shops. Mowers and other items to be repaired were moved to the back so customers only saw a clean, organized showroom. It was a welcoming, safe space for everyone.
The Vietnam veteran was happy to be his own boss and get back into hands-on mechanical work after graduating from Texas A&M in industrial education and working for others. It didn’t take long for his reputation to earn recognition. His business was one of the top 10 Snapper dealers in the country for 3 years in a row.
The store expanded its lines with quality equipment to cover everything from lawn mowers to chainsaws to go-karts to compact tractors, with companies like Toro and Bad Boy contacting Lawrence to become a dealer for them.
“We’re one of the few DR servicing dealers that carry the products,” Lawrence says. Leslie’s Outdoor Products makes sure its mechanics receive all the education and training they need to keep up with today’s sophisticated engines. That includes a new electric zero-turn mower and the ability to install the underground wires for robotic mowers.
He credits his family for staying up to date on equipment. Both sons are very mechanical. A daughter-in-law handles online sales to grow the business. His wife and grandchildren have been part of the business.
Lawrence also credits God, his faith, and the focus on prioritizing a physically and morally clean atmosphere for the business’ success. He praises the loyalty of mechanics and other employees.
“We’re a family,” he says. “When it’s a family-owned business, you have more control of what you’re doing.”
While Lawrence and his wife are technically retired, he likes to help out at the store and work on building projects when he’s not building hot rods or restoring antique airplanes.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Leslie’s Outdoor Power, 5067 Hwy. 259 N., Longview, Texas 75605 (ph 903-663-4110; lesliesoutdoorpower@msn.com; www.lesliesoutdoorpower.com).
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Mower Shop Keeps Up With The Times MOWERS “My biggest selling point is that I’m a servicing dealer We know the products ” says Leslie Lawrence Providing quality service has been a priority since he bought his first small mechanic shop in the early 1990’s Now his family and other employees carry on the philosophy in the 7 200 sq ft showroom/shop of Leslie’s Outdoor Power in Longview Texas From the beginning Lawrence was determined to change the perception people had of repair shops Mowers and other items to be repaired were moved to the back so customers only saw a clean organized showroom It was a welcoming safe space for everyone The Vietnam veteran was happy to be his own boss and get back into hands-on mechanical work after graduating from Texas A&M in industrial education and working for others It didn’t take long for his reputation to earn recognition His business was one of the top 10 Snapper dealers in the country for 3 years in a row The store expanded its lines with quality equipment to cover everything from lawn mowers to chainsaws to go-karts to compact tractors with companies like Toro and Bad Boy contacting Lawrence to become a dealer for them “We’re one of the few DR servicing dealers that carry the products ” Lawrence says Leslie’s Outdoor Products makes sure its mechanics receive all the education and training they need to keep up with today’s sophisticated engines That includes a new electric zero-turn mower and the ability to install the underground wires for robotic mowers He credits his family for staying up to date on equipment Both sons are very mechanical A daughter-in-law handles online sales to grow the business His wife and grandchildren have been part of the business Lawrence also credits God his faith and the focus on prioritizing a physically and morally clean atmosphere for the business’ success He praises the loyalty of mechanics and other employees “We’re a family ” he says “When it’s a family-owned business you have more control of what you’re doing ” While Lawrence and his wife are technically retired he likes to help out at the store and work on building projects when he’s not building hot rods or restoring antique airplanes Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Leslie’s Outdoor Power 5067 Hwy 259 N Longview Texas 75605 ph 903-663-4110; lesliesoutdoorpower@msn com; www lesliesoutdoorpower com
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