Jett Turpin launches Mackay lawn mowing business

A North Queensland teenager was told ‘if you want it, you’ve got to go out and work for it’ and that’s exactly what he did. Now his own dad works for him.

Bucasia teen Jett Turpin launched Jetts Lawn Care Mackay when he was just 12 years old. He now turns over $35,000 a year, with the help of his dad Dan on the tools. Picture: Heidi Petith

A 15-year-old is proving grit and determination pays off having grown his humble lawn mowing business into a professional outfit raking in $35,000 a year.

Mackay Northern Beaches State High School Year 10 student Jett Turpin was 12 when he began advertising on Facebook in January 2020 hoping to earn enough to buy items on his wish list.

“I’m like obsessed with technology and what not but of course it’s expensive,” the Bucasia teen said.

“My parents, obviously they said, ‘If you want it, you’ve got to go out and work for it.’”

He started out at $40 a lawn and word quickly spread.

Bucasia teen Jett Turpin launched Jetts Lawn Care Mackay when he was just 12 years old. He now turns over $35,000 a year, with the help of his dad Dan on the tools. Picture: Heidi Petith

But still too young for a driver’s licence, his parents Rachelle and Dan had to chauffeur him to his customers.

“Jett borrowed my mower and whipper snipper,” Dan said.

“But what we didn’t know because Rachelle and I don’t have social media … is he actually went online and designed a website and designed business cards.

“We had no idea this was going on.

“All of a sudden Jett had all these phone calls coming in.”

Bucasia teen Jett Turpin launched Jetts Lawn Care Mackay when he was just 12 years old. He now turns over $35,000 a year, with the help of his dad Dan on the tools. Picture: Heidi Petith

With too many calls, Dan put on a matching high-vis shirt and boots to join his son on the tools while on swings-off from his mining job.

The pair split the mowing fees and Dan operated solo when Jett was at school.

They work at a blistering speed with an impressive feat including finishing 18 yards in three days.

Now, three years after launching Jetts Lawn Care Mackay, Jett has paid-off the trailer his parents financed and has upgraded his equipment multiple times.

He’s gone from a push mower to a TS142 Husqvarna ride-on, and now a kit with a Honda HRU216 ride-on and a Husqvarna TS242TXD push.

Bucasia teen Jett Turpin launched Jetts Lawn Care Mackay when he was just 12 years old. He now turns over $35,000 a year, with the help of his dad Dan on the tools. Picture: Heidi Petith

In the ute, he keeps a portable fridge stocked with juices to manage his Type 1 diabetes.

“I find it actually helps me to level my bloods out when I’m being active,” he said.

His services come highly-rated with customer Leanne Tranberg’s Facebook review stating she received the “highest level of professionalism and care”.

“Jett is such a polite, young man who clearly has much pride in his work,” Kylie Norman posted in her review.

Both Jett’s parents say they’re incredibly proud of their son who hopes to become an electrician.

Having refined his business and customer service skills, he’s sure to make for a keenly-sought after apprentice.

You can phone Jett on 0492 089 331 or find his business on Facebook.

Do you know of a young person giving it a go? Email [e-mail]