For most high school and college students, a summer job is a temporary bridge to a “real” career. But for Jody Nalley, a small push mower and an electric trimmer weren’t just tools for a season; they were the foundation of a life’s work. Now celebrating 39 years in business, Nalley’s Lawn Service and Landscaping LLC has evolved from a solo neighborhood route into a powerhouse operation with a fleet of six trucks serving Louisville, Simpsonville, Prospect, New Albany, Jeffersonville, and surrounding communities.
Rooted in Entrepreneurship
“I did not realize this was what I was going to do when I was in college,” Nalley says.
He started at just 10 years old, tending his grandparents’ neighbors’ lawns.
“I do not like to be stuck inside, and I’ve always had an entrepreneurial side,” he says. “It just hit me one day that this is what I need to do.”
That epiphany proved to be a win for Kentuckiana. Over nearly four decades, Nalley has cultivated a reputation built on flexibility — not just for his customers, but for his family. In the early years, that work-life balance allowed him to build a business while being present for his children, a value that remains at the heart of the company culture today.
A Full-Spectrum Portfolio
Today, the business offers much more than a standard mow. Nalley has expanded the company into a full-service outdoor solutions provider. Using full-color landscape design software, he allows customers to visualize their dream projects before a single plant is installed. Once the vision is set, his team handles everything from flower planting, seeding, and sodding to complex tree work, paver patios, and the hauling of aggregates.
The commitment to a neat and clean property extends to hard surfaces as well. Nalley’s team performs pressure washing for houses, driveways, curbs, and sidewalks. Even as the seasons change, the work doesn’t stop. The company transitions into leaf removal, professional Christmas light installation, and reliable snow removal services.
The “Clean & Green” Philosophy
In an industry often scrutinized for its environmental footprint, Nalley has integrated sustainable practices that prioritize the health of the local ecosystem. He recognizes that “picky” service should also be responsible service. Unlike many companies that rely on synthetic lubricants, Nalley uses high-quality biodegradable two-cycle oil to protect the air and soil.
He has also declared war on the plastic bag. By utilizing a professional debris loader, his team vacuums up leaves directly into trucks, diverting thousands of plastic bags from local landfills every year. Even equipment maintenance reflects that mindset. Nalley operates an in-house professional blade sharpener. By extending the life of mower blades through precision grinding, he reduces metal waste and ensures a cleaner cut for the grass, promoting faster healing and natural disease resistance.
A Standard of Excellence
Nalley’s success is largely due to his refusal to cut corners. While other companies might subcontract some services, Nalley keeps his full-year treatment plans and services in-house, ensuring every application meets his personal standards.
“We do great work,” Nalley says. “That is the only way we do it. I am very picky. We have a great team of guys that work for us who are just as picky as I am.”
As he looks toward the future, Nalley’s goal is simple: to keep growing while staying honest. He encourages customers to hold him to the same standard he has set since those first days in his grandparents’ neighborhood.
“We are not perfect, but if we make a mistake, we will correct it,” Nalley says. “I did not get here by doing the job halfway. We have built an excellent reputation, and I want to keep it.”
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