After receiving scholarship support from K-State, Spencer B. transformed a childhood lawn-mowing business into a social media phenomenon — and a mission to serve others.
Spencer B. never let the grass grow under his feet. In fact, at just 11 years old, he started cutting it — a chore that has now blossomed into a nonprofit organization serving both the hearts and lawns of those in need.
Lawns of legacy
Spencer began mowing his neighbors’ lawns with his dad’s push mower in his hometown of Wichita, Kansas. In high school, he saved up enough money to purchase a riding mower and trailer to expand his clientele.
After spreading the word, Spencer needed more assistance. His first employee was his little brother. The business slowly grew, and by the time Spencer graduated, the brothers were mowing 25 yards a week.
Spencer had always dreamed of going to college, but financial limits made that goal seem out of reach. He took the ACT over and over to get the best possible scholarships but finally reached a score of 32 too late for the deadline of his favorite college, K-State.
After talking with the board, K-State awarded Spencer with the Putnam scholarship — full tuition covered for four years.
Keeping the mower running online
During college, Spencer recruited two more employees and increased his workload to about 75 clients, driving back and forth on weekends to mow.
After graduating with a computer science degree, he followed his heart to a programming job and enjoyed his work there for around six months while mowing part-time.
Around this time, Spencer started creating YouTube videos to share his work. He mowed unkempt lawns for free and posted short videos detailing the process on social media.
“Within a couple months I started making a little bit of money, but I had no idea that this was going to happen,” he said. “I was in a good spot and so I made the decision to go all in because it was something I loved, and I felt like I wouldn’t be in that position to take that kind of risk again so I quit my full-time job.”
Viewers loved the sensory quality and meaningful inspiration of the clips, and SB Mowing quickly went viral. Spencer has now started another channel for pressure washing. The combined following for both channels and all social media platforms is around 40 million with 3 billion annual views.
“I love it,” he said. “I found the best business model ever. I get to do something I love. Something I’m good at. I get to help people out who really need it, and then I get to provide entertainment for millions of people.”
Spencer worked hard to get where he is today, but he didn’t do it alone. Grateful for the support that helped him succeed, he now pays it forward to others in need.
Paying it forward
The hearts of many viewers were captured when Spencer lent a hand to an elderly woman named Beth.
Beth was struggling with mobility issues and was facing a $240 fine from the city if she couldn’t get her lawn cleaned up. To make matters worse, she had lost a lot of money to a lawncare company scam. She was often unable to feed herself or pay for medical needs.
When Spencer approached Beth and offered to fix up her yard, she was overcome with emotion and graciously accepted the offer.
“I spent my entire day just cleaning up, making it look the best it ever looked,” he said. “Someone’s lawn is something that really makes their day good or bad. It’s the first thing many others see.”
Spencer also set up a Go Fund Me that raised over $850,000 to help Beth back onto her feet.
SB Mowing has created many meaningful moments like this one. Spencer credits much of his success to the encouragement of family and friends, as well as the opportunities and support he found at K-State.
By Kate Ellwood
Curated from About Spencer | SB Mowing Founder & Creator and
Wichita man behind viral mowing videos is a K-Stater | K-State Alumni Association