Hate raking leaves?
Never fear. The Royal Canadian Mounted Leaf Service is ready to help. And these Mounties always get their leaves, no matter what tree they escaped from.
Three Kansas University students recently launched a leaf-raking business to earn some extra cash when they aren't busy studying.
In an only-in-Lawrence twist, they do their jobs dressed in red shirts and brown hats reminiscent of the legendary Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
"We talk about crazy things we'd like to do all the time, and somehow raking leaves and Mounties got mentioned in the same sentence," said Keaton Krell, a junior from Lyndon.
Royal Canadian Mounted Leaf Service workers Sam Schneider and David Schutter rake and bag the front yard of Lawrence residents Darryl and Jan Stone. Schneider, Schutter and Keaton Krell recently began the leaf-raking business, and as a gimmick they have fashioned themselves in attire similar to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The service's first job, at the Stones' house, was Wednesday afternoon.
It was a business idea that Sam Schneider had already mulled over in his mind before mentioning it to Krell and David Schutter, a Great Bend freshman.
"I think it had to do with the Canadian maple leaf and associating that with raking, but I don't know for sure," Schneider said, explaining how he came up with the idea.
"We thought it was hilarious," Schutter said.
None of the three has a Canadian background. Nevertheless, a week ago the trio posted fliers around town and went knocking on doors trying to drum up some business. They dressed in their Mountie finest, some of which they found combing through a military surplus store.
"Most of the people were pretty positive," Krell said. "A lot of them were confused. It was like Halloween came a week early."
Schneider admitted he felt a little silly when they knocked on the first doors.
"After awhile you forget how absurd you look and it was kind of fun," the Topeka sophomore said.
Wednesday afternoon the "Mounties" went to work for their first customers, Lawrence residents Darryl and Jan Stone. Darryl Stone had seen a flier while working a part-time job at Ernst & Son Hardware, 826 Mass. He called Schneider.
"I think he's got a good head on his shoulders," Darryl Stone said of Schneider. "I thought this was a great marketing idea and it appealed to me."
The leaf service already has its own Web site, RoyalCanadians.com, with information on services and prices. You can also call Schneider at (785) 817-2729.
Before starting their business, raking leaves wasn't exactly their favorite job, they said.
"At home my dad has to twist my arm to get me to do this, but for some reason it's just not so bad dressed up like a Mountie," Krell said.
Comments
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Lib_ee12 (anonymous) says…
Why is this a story?
wysocki (anonymous) says…
Hey, is this a case of mixed metaphors or what? 'Turning over old leaves' alludes to turning over leaves or pages in a book, which is a metaphor for starting anew. What has this got to do with raking leaves? I'd suggest your headline writer make like a tree and...
Jclarkson (anonymous) says…
this offends me as a Canadian.
kansasboy (anonymous) says…
Wow free publicity. You know most lawn services today do have leaf pick up. Must be a slow news day Eh?
bearded_gnome (anonymous) says…
?