From the Graduation Files: Upton jumpstarts 615 Lawn and Land while completing business degree

Shelby Bratcher  |  05/05/2021

“The stewardship of God’s creation and servitude to others’’ is exactly what inspired corporate management senior, Evan Upton, to jumpstart his own company. Upton may still be a student in Lipscomb’s College of Business, but to any aspiring entrepreneur, he could do the teaching. 

In January 2020, the Nashville native established his landscaping business, 615 Lawn and Land, as a Limited Liability Corporation. With sales revenues already reaching six figures and revenue growth increasing by 138% this year, Upton plans to run his business full-time following his graduation in May 2021. 

Upton really enjoys the work that he does despite the rough days here and there. He is extremely passionate about the outdoors and believes that maintaining and enhancing God’s earth is one of his “spiritual gifts.” This is what he credits his immense success, growth, and drive to. 

At 10 years old, Upton always had an entrepreneurial spirit. From that young age, he already had created a variety of small businesses-  some that had revenue streams as hefty as a thousand dollars a month. In one particular venture, Upton rounded up other kids in the neighborhood to create a classic lemonade stand. “There had always been this pull to figure out how to make a business thrive,” says Upton.  

At 15, Upton had begun working at a “good faith-based construction company” for a Lipscomb alum. After a long while of being an employee, he saved up some money for his own truck and trailer and decided to become his own boss. Starting his business from a young age has taught him crucial business lessons early in life: that “early investments and standardization of the business (i.e. equipment, contracts, hiring processes, etc.) from the beginning will produce more efficient, long-term growth.”

He has also faced his own unique challenges. Small labor pools and trying to separate his personal image from the business’s image were a few he noted. Upton wants people to view his company as its own entity, not just something personal and small that he created. However, in the midst of navigating these situations, Lipscomb and College of Business professors Jeff Cohu and Rob Touchstone were there to help 615 Lawn and Land flourish and thrive. 

“Dr. Cohu has provided encouragement and knowledge to me even prior to the establishment of the LLC,” said Upton. Cohu worked with Upton to develop the legal framework of the business and make it legitimate and sustainable so Upton could be successful in his pursuits. Whilst Touchstone had always been a point of inspiration because of his contagious entrepreneurial spirit.

Upton knew he wanted to establish 615 Lawn and Land as an LLC to take the next step in the company’s future. As an LLC, Upton is the sole proprietor of the business. Becoming an LLC was vital to Upton, so that his company could hold the necessary insurance and pay required legal taxes. 

Going forward, Upton hopes to carry on the business by following Proverbs 19:21: “Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.” For any aspiring entrepreneur, his biggest piece of advice is, “Pray often and use your business as a tool for Christ.” 

— Photos by Saul Buda