T E X A R K A N A M A G A Z I N E
telling her friends and coworkers who then hired me to take care of their lawns.” Having that type of support and encouragement from the people around you can make all the difference. “My mom was always supportive and would never allow me to go hungry, but she always taught me to work for what I wanted. I learned really fast the value of earning money, saving it and reinvesting it in more equipment in order for my business to grow. It used to frustrate me some back then, but I now appreciate the fact that my mom never gave me any handouts.” She believed in his abilities to make a way for himself, and over and over Greg has proven her confidence was not misplaced. Success can also sometimes hinge on the people with whom you surround yourself. Greg has been strategic in that area as well. He has been in a long-term relationship with Lauren Callaway for a while now, and she has many of the same
Greg at eight years old on one of his father’s backhoes.
Greg’s life. His mother, Francine, has a successful career as the Director of Marketing and Communications at CHRISTUS St. Michael. Her example, as well as his father’s commitment to letting Greg spend time with him as he worked, and the influence of his “Papaw,” who was Francine’s father, laid the foundation for the hard worker he is today. According to Francine, “Greg was born with work ethic. He saw the family history of working hard. His dad worked hard, I worked hard, his grandparents worked hard. I would describe him early as being tenacious, stubborn, decisive, a risk taker and one who didn’t see challenges as challenges but as opportunities,” she said. “When I was in middle school,” recalled Greg. “My Papaw would pick me up from school every day. After school, we always had a project to work on. We worked on old cars and trucks, barns… basically whatever we could get our hands on. The main thing I remember is that he taught me to do things the right way, the first time. So, taking the time to do something right and not rushing through anything has been something that’s always been instilled in me. I learned a lot about work ethic from him, so I’d say he had a lot of influence over me when it came to me starting my business.” Many people can look back over their lives and recognize the people who have built in them a strong work ethic. What is it, though, that makes some brave enough to take that next step and act on that entrepreneurial spirit inside them? His mother is convinced it came naturally to Greg. “He’d share his ideas and tell me, ‘I can do it.’ And I’d say, ‘ok,’ and we’d give it a try. He was a lot braver than I was. He got that from his father. He had the bravery to explore the unknown.” Greg, however, lays some of the credit
qualities driving her to be successful in her own entrepreneurial endeavors. “They make a good couple on several levels,” said Francine. “They’re both entrepreneurial and driven to be successful in their particular roles and businesses. She’s taught him a lot about patience and looking at things a little broader sometimes.” Greg is grateful for her influence and support. “Yes, I am a lucky man. Lauren and I have a lot in common. We are very similar when it comes to our work ethic and drive, which is what initially attracted me to her. She’s very smart, beautiful and extremely caring. Lauren is very good at her job, and we actually work a lot together on projects. She’s as stubborn and headstrong as a mule, so she keeps me on my toes. I never quite know exactly what I’m about to get into with her, but she’s never steered me wrong, so I think I’ve found a keeper.” There are very few who even know what they want to do with their lives at 13 years old. That number is made even smaller when you start counting those who are willing, at that age, to bring that dream to life. Greg Francis is truly special. We all could use a little more of the drive, determination and commitment to excellence that has made him successful in building his businesses. His advice to other dreamers is three-fold: “1) Be okay with starting small but to always strive for growth. Allow yourself to be the little guy and work your way up. As long as you have the drive to grow bigger, and you do not give up, then chances are you’ll do just that. 2) Always have a Plan B. I would say MOST of the time, Plan A does not pan out like you thought it would, so if you do not have a Plan B, you might get discouraged and quit. And 3) As you begin to grow, know that you cannot do everything
yourself. Hire people that are an asset to your business. It takes many, many people to keep the puzzle together, and I’m very thankful to have phenomenal employees from the office to the field.”
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back at her feet. “I started my landscape business when I was 13 years old, so she would have to drive me to and from my jobs. She also helped me get the word out by
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