Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard Haug.
Hi Richard, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
As a young guy from St. Louis Hills and fresh out of CBC, I enlisted in the Navy right after high school. Serving aboard the U.S.S. Carl Vinson taught me discipline, teamwork and pride in something bigger than myself. Back home, I didn’t slow down. I was an older student when I enrolled at SLU, taking classes and working full-time to earn my degree. That path opened doors for me at JPMorgan, Tyler Technologies, U.S. Treasury and FEMA, managing large contracts and solving tough problems in the hustle of the Washington DC area where my wife and I lived for 15 years.
In 2024, we felt a pull toward home and made the decision to return to St. Louis. Settling here inspired our next chapter and the biggest leap of faith yet: owning our own business. We bought into Lawn Doctor of Fenton-Wildwood-Oakville-Imperial, a company with a national backing that includes 60 years of proven results and consistently ranking in the Franchise 500 for the past 47 years – sharing that honor with only two other companies – Dunkin’ and McDonald’s.
As homeowners, we were very familiar with Lawn Doctor and its results. We saw this as an opportunity to build on the American Dream – building a legacy business with sustainable practices, a strong team, and real community impact. Now we wake up to transform yards: fertilizing, fighting weeds, seeding, aerating, caring for tree and shrubs, even keeping mosquitoes at bay and moles away.
Every pristine lawn we help create is our way of giving back – freeing families to barbeque, play with their kids and pets, or just sit on the patio watching the sunset. A yard is where stories unfold and memories are made.
It’s not just a business; it’s our legacy in the making. From aircraft carrier to HOA headaches solved, we’ve come full circle right here in St. Louis.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The biggest hurdle to owning our business was the initial investment. It took everything we had and a leap of faith, and we firmly believe it was worth it. We are now in a position where we can help employees provide for their families and support our local community.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At Lawn Doctor of Fenton-Wildwood-Oakville-Imperial, we are local family and veteran-owned business dedicated to creating lush, healthy and beautiful yards. We hire local expertise and each homeowner receives a customized, science-based plan tailored to their lawn’s conditions rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. We offer fertilization, weed control, power seeding, mosquito & tick control, pH balancing, aeration and tree & shrub care. We believe in building up and giving back to the community because we live and work here too.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
As it is with growing green lawns, I attribute resilience as the key to our success. You have to be able to face “no” many more times than “yes” and don’t be afraid to share with others your challenges. It has been through those conversations that we have found solutions to our biggest challenges.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lawndoctor.com/fenton-mo/
- Instagram: @lawndoctorfenton
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AGRIProSTL/
