Dirt Cheap and confident
By Laurie Gordon STILLWATER Twenty-five-year-old Keith Raff has friends with four-year degrees who "either hate their career choices or can't find a job." Not Raff though. Three years ago, on a whim and a prayer and with a little help from his friends, Raff started Dirt Cheap Landscaping and Garden Services. Raff's family moved to Stillwater when he was 12. He graduated from Kittatinny Regional High School in 2005 and took a part-time landscaping job in between semesters at the NJ Institute of Technology where he was studying to become a civil engineer. "I've always enjoyed doing landscaping and other outdoor work," Raff said. Growing up he recalls working around his house quite a bit and doing odd-jobs in the neighborhood for some extra cash. After a few years of working part time for Auburn Sky Landscaping and going to school, he realized engineering wasn't for him. "I realized I would never enjoy a career in civil engineering because I enjoy hands-on work so much," Raff said. "Working in an office just wasn't for me." At this point Raff was 20 years old with no idea what he was going to do. He began working full time for Auburn Sky. "My boss there, with whom I still remain great friends with today, was probably my biggest influence," said Raff. "Fortunately for me he runs an extremely well-rounded company that specializes in everything from landscape design to basic lawn service. Trust me, there is so much to learn and he really sent me in the right direction." Raff was like a sponge, absorbing all he could about the many facets of the business of landscaping. He was a fast learner and was soon was in charge of a crew. "I owe my former boss much thanks for the work ethic he had instilled in me as well as the skills he taught me," said Raff. With four years of experience and a burning desire to pursue a career in landscaping for the long haul, Raff said he felt "pretty confident" in his ability to start something on his own. "The little money that I had saved was enough to buy an older commercial walk-behind mower, a back pack blower, and a weed whacker," said Raff. He already had a heavy duty truck that he had been driving daily and a friend of his had an older 12-foot landscaping trailer that he lent Raff. "With the help of friends and family I managed to pick up five or six of my own lawn accounts that summer which I would do after I had finished out my regular work day at Auburn Sky," said Raff. "It was definitely not easy but I had to start somewhere and with no financial backing I couldnt afford to leave my job. Thankfully my boss was understanding that I had hopes of going out on my own and rather than discouraging me from leaving his company he offered me tons of advice and even kicked me a little work, which in my opinion was overly generous." Raff's father owned a business called Dirt Cheap Excavating for years. With wishes to keep the name going and because Raff was set on keeping quality high and prices low, he took the name and "Dirt Cheap Landscaping" was born. By the 2010 season, Raff had picked up several more lawn accounts and no longer had enough time to get everything done after work. He started taking days off from Auburn Sky during the week to pursue his own accounts and he soon found himself completely on his own. "It was definitely a struggle getting my feet off of the ground," said Raff. "Insurance, equipment and basic needs for running a business in this industry come with a high price tag, but I wanted to run a legitimate business that produces high quality work. I was used to working with top of the line equipment, nice trucks, and uniforms and thats what I wanted to have for myself." Now, with nicely painted trucks, uniforms and a professional staff, Raff's goal is to catapult Dirt Cheap Landscaping to one of the top in the county. He currently services over 70 lawns, but lawn service is only a part of the business. "We do everything from excavating, walls, and patios to plant, mulch, topsoil, and stone installation." In a business where referrals speak for themselves, the number of compliments he's received have been the basis for building the business. Colby Van Gorden and Dustin Pittenger work with Raff as full-time employees. In keeping with how he got started, Raff was certain to hire local guys who had also graduated from Kittatinny. "Both have excellent work ethic, are experts in certain aspects of the landscaping business, and are eager to always continue to learn," said Raff. "I couldnt ask for better help." Looking back, Raff is confident in his beginnings as a young business owner. "I have to say I am pleased with my decision to go out on my own and work for myself. College for me was working 11-hour days at my old job and paying attention to everything I could possibly learn. I honestly think its terrible that people are working very hard towards degrees and upon reaching their goals have nowhere to go because of our economic situation." When Raff isn't working - which is rare - he's fishing the local rivers and lakes as well as bow hunting. He's also into cars, particularly Chevys. Raff and Dirt Cheap Landscaping can be reached at 862-354-2569.