We were lucky to catch up with Thomas Garner IV recently and have shared our conversation below.
Thomas , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
A struggling father trying to made ends meet. Living in poverty in the heart of Cleveland, Oh. Where I come from it’s a lot of drugs gang violence the men here struggle daily to survive. I did not want the street life for myself so I worked a 9-5. 2019 came and the pandemic hit I lost my job and home. I bounced around staying at friends and family sometimes in my car just to avoid being a hassle to others. I meet a friend who became my mentor joined a non profit organization called S.T.E.P.S . I worked on my confidence self esteem fundamentals. One night I was to my last $100 n was up all night brainstorming on how to invest in myself. I took that $100 bought a used lawnmower for $80 out the rest in my gas tank and now I’m here walking into year 3 of self employed Mengredients LLC
Thomas , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Thomas of Mengredients and founder I specialize in landscaping and all around handyman work. I pretty much taught myself everything from experience growing up with my father and doing chores around the house growing up. From cutting grass, leaf removal, flowerbed creation, tree removal service. I also mount TVs, assemble beds dresser shelves. I do Cleanout and Moveout. House paint to demolition, trash removal house mover
ANYTHING YOU DON’T WANT TO DO I’LL DO lol lol
What sets me aside from most is my passion and me not so much worrying about the money… I want to do a great job no matter what and I do alot of two men jobs by myself
I built Mengredients from scratch investing my own money own time letting my work speak for me … my end goal is to teach the men in my community how to profess protect provide in a healthy manner as I continue in my purpose soon I’ll have my non profit organization launched and I’ll be a resource center for black man to get guidance information employment fatherhood advice. My goal is to be able to to send men out to work rather it’s landscaping, house repair, paint, hauling etc..
so right now I been learning as many trades or mastering my problem solving skills to teach the next
Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?
So the beginning of 2019 that’s when I lost everything… a few months down the line I ended up finding a new job full time. So I’m working 3rd shit getting off going straight to my yards as well doing Lyft off and on … rewind you that prior to getting back to work I previously bought a lawnmower. So during that time of me looking for work I was cutting grass I only had the lawnmower so the yards wasn’t looking too shabby lol so the profit from my 1st yard I invested in a weedwacker. But my next job needed bushes trimmed I’m like dang I had some old 1950 cutters and did what I do took that money bought some trimmers. In the beginning I didn’t profit I only invested one job paid for tools .. 2021 is the year I learned made a lot of mistakes no positive profit. 2022 was my growing year I learned so much inside out walking into year 3 I’m ready for the profits
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
This past year I lost my car right before the peek of my season… I was so irritated and worried but I just kept telling myself keep your attitude in tacked don’t stop … provide only what today need for tomorrow not here yet picked up in overtime and my clients was understanding some would come pick me up or they’ll allow me to use they equipment so I’m getting on the bus to go do jobs all through winter spring and then may 2022 I got my pickup truck … haven’t stopped since
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @_mengredients_ @thomas_da_great216
- Facebook: @thomasgarner
- Other: [email protected]