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Jonathan Buckingham's secret to his success? Doing what he loves. Photo by Leeds friend, photographer Matan Coll (Mgmt’25).

Even as graduation nears, it’s likely that (Mktg’26) has spring cleanups on his mind more than walking across the stage to receive his diploma. That’s because, after commencement, he plans to continue building the landscaping business he launched at age 10 in his hometown of Greenwich, Connecticut. His dream? “To have a massive landscaping empire.”��

Since arriving at ��ñ����, Buckingham and his high school friend and business partner, , have grown to 13 full‑time employees and $2.1 million in revenue last year. During college, they generated more than $7 million and secured more than 200 maintenance clients.��

So how did Buckingham manage to run a business from thousands of miles away?

Business school as the backup plan—until it wasn’t

“When I decided to attend ��ñ����, I came to Colorado with the mindset that earning my degree would be a backup plan in case the business didn’t succeed,” he said. He also knew he wanted to be in Colorado. “I’ve always had my mind on CU, as I’m a big skier.” He also wanted to fulfill his parents' aspirations for him to earn a college degree. But he didn't want to give up his business.

The logistics seemed daunting. “I knew if I was going to college, I had to have someone who could do in‑person estimates, get our crew set up every morning, and understand the landscaping knowledge that I have.” Carpio was the answer. Buckingham knew they both loved landscaping and shared a similar work ethic, mindset, and passion for the business. Carpio, who was attending college locally, could be the boots on the ground, while Buckingham could focus on the work he could accomplish remotely.

And it worked. But instead of business school being a “backup,” it turned into an engine for growth. “I was able to focus on building stronger systems, improving client communication and developing better financial management practices,” Buckingham said.

But it wasn’t easy. Freshman year was stressful—full of late‑night FaceTime calls and constant coordination—but the business kept growing.

��We were starting to gain clients, and I realized that was because I was spending four or five hours each day strictly focusing on making sure we popped up No. 1 on Google.��

At the same time, he was expanding the company’s reach on social media, regularly posting to����and to showcase their work. The TikTok account has now grown to more than 40,000 followers, fueled by energetic videos of projects underway, how-to tips, and coming to life.

To keep up with that momentum, Buckingham realized he needed better systems to manage the workload from afar. He adopted Jobber for project management, strengthened his QuickBooks skills, and built more efficient processes. “All the workers have the Jobber app on their phone … I can review every job remotely and update clients,” he said.

Standing out through service

By the time he arrived at Leeds, Buckingham had already taught himself payroll, taxes and basic accounting. He had a clear goal to make client management the company’s differentiator in a crowded market.

“The reason we grew so fast is because we are very on top of our clients and any concerns they have about their property,” he said.��

Stepping back from day‑to‑day labor let him refine branding, marketing and financials. His coursework often aligned with what he was doing.��

��I could compare what I was learning in class to what was happening in my business. That kept me engaged in college.��

He and Carpio also broadened service offerings, adding gutter cleaning, junk removal, masonry and snow management, while avoiding categories like painting that didn’t fit their strengths. This created stable year‑round revenue.

Leadership lessons

Over time, Buckingham realized that strong systems are essential for both efficiency and leadership.

“You absolutely have to have systems in place,” he said. “Everything has to be organized.” Detailed historical data lets his team deliver consistent work and helps him produce accurate estimates. It also helped him learn that he should be charging higher rates, especially as they sought to make higher-end properties their major customer base.

Another lesson: communication is key. “As a leader, you can’t take frustrations out on your workers,” said Buckingham. “If you’re only saying negative things, it creates a bad work environment.” Leeds helped him strengthen those communication skills.��

��Leeds has so many group projects and presentations. It really helped my confidence—especially thinking on my feet.��

Future possibilities

Despite his workload, Buckingham made time for college life—joining a fraternity and squeezing in about 40 ski days a year. Planning ahead was essential; he learned to set up each day’s schedule by planning the night before.

Professors also shaped his perspective. Assistant Professor of Marketing Elmer Ramos encouraged him to diversify income streams. After graduation, Buckingham plans to purchase his first rental property and explore real estate opportunities.

He has also grown as a partner. “Most partnerships fail. But Rudy and I learned to be very transparent and honest. We say things how they are and talk it out.”

Now, as he turns the page on college, Buckingham isn’t trying to prove his business can succeed—it already has.��

“It kind of sounds crazy, but I made it work. I think the reason I was able to make it work is just how much of a passion and drive I have for this.”��

Thanks to his parents, he’s leaving college debt‑free. “All my life, I've been saving and investing, so I have a big head start compared to the average college graduate.” But he’s quick to note that he didn’t pursue landscaping to make a lot of money, and initially, college was also a way for him to understand how to make more than just a living wage.��

����I did it because I loved it. If you love what you do, you'll figure out a way to make the money you want to make.��

And while the company may now be firmly established, Buckingham is just getting started.

Friends and partners Rudy Carpio (left) and Jonathan Buckingham have been able to grow and operate a thriving lawncare and landscaping business, even while attending college. Photo by Matan Coll (Mgmt’25).