Dwight Wolfe was looking to start his own business in 1996. An ad in the Democrat-Herald led him to a presentation and before he knew it he was a business owner.

"It happened pretty fast, but everything fit what I was looking for," said Wolfe, who for the last 13 years has owned and operated Weed Man, his own lawn care business.

It was a new venture in many ways for Dwight and his wife, Debbie, who actually pioneered Weed Man in the United States.

"We were the first franchise in the country," he said. "It was started in Canada in 1976, and the Northwest was one of their first stops when they wanted to expand into the United States."

Wolfe said Weed Man provided the perfect opportunity to use his background in agriculture. Still, establishing a presence with a business no one had really heard of took determination and effort.

"Marketing was - and still is - a challenge. I spent a lot of time going door-to-door, but within 10 days after starting I was getting paid for work," said Wolfe.

From that point it was a matter of providing good service. Wolfe says being a part of a franchise has its perks, including an advanced computer system and specific guidelines. But he also emphasizes that the company is his.

"They provide great tools to help you succeed, but I do what's best for my business," said Wolfe.

That means using the latest techniques. Wolfe says his business is research based, and he keeps in touch with what is happening at universities, particularly Oregon State.

"It's important to stay current. We want to do the best thing for the lawns we service," he said.

And that's quite a few lawns. Weed Man currently has 500 clients; about 90 percent of those are residential. The commercial accounts Wolfe services are usually subcontracted through landscape companies.

"It tends to be very specific work in the commercial area. We aren't a landscaper," he said.

Wolfe provides service throughout Linn and Benton counties and also has several customers in Salem.

One truck handles almost all the service calls, and Wolfe and one employee do the field work. He says work tends to be year-round, although spring starts his busy season, when he often hires seasonal help.

Wolfe grew up on a farm in eastern Oregon and worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That background led him to Weed Man.

"It's offered me a chance to utilize my farming skills, and it's very service-oriented which is something I like," he said. "I try to let people know what they can expect and what options they have for their lawns."

Wolfe says his business is all about grass and keeping it healthy, through watering, fertilization and weed control.

Weed Man is at 640 Old Salem Road and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments can be made by calling (541) 917-3394 or toll-free at 1-877-356-3395.

The Weed Man franchise was recently listed by Lawn & Landscape Magazine at No. 8 on it's list of the 150 top companies in the lawn and landscaping industry.

"To be named one of the best in the field is great. I get the best of both worlds with local ownership and national assistance," said Wolfe. "It's very satisfying."