How a Hobby turned into a Passion

Defiance County Economic Development started a 501c3, called the Homegrown Program. The HOMEGROWN program nurtures local businesses and gives them the tools they need to grow. The program is centered around providing market research and high-level tech assistance toward industry trends, search engine optimization, and marketing. When provided with the kind of timely and relevant information that market research can provide about competitors, customers, markets, and industry trends...companies & start-ups can make strategic decisions, which ultimately set them on a course of tremendous growth. To learn more about the Homegrown Program, visit our website.

The first quarter allocations were awarded in March. Zero Gravity, LLC was one of the award recipients and here's what Nick Zimmerman had to say about his hobby that turned into a passion...

"How I got started was something I didn’t intend to do. I used to live in town, and I had a 42-inch Craftsman, and it was enough to mow my lawn in town. Then I had moved out in this 4 acre lot that I live on now and it took me about 6 hours to mow by myself. I figured if I bought another one for my son to help me out it would cut my time in half. So, I went on Facebook marketplace, and I ended up seeing another Craftsman for sale and it needed a little bit of work. I ended up getting it afraid that I would not be able to repair it. I have been working on cars since I was a kid in my father’s shop (Reflectionz Auto in Napoleon Ohio), and I thought a mower can’t be much different than a car. I did fix it and it was an accomplishment! That lawn mower worked great. Then I decided to sell those two riders for a zero turn and that’s when it became a passion of mine. In September 2019 I decided to chase that passion and I started fixing my friends and family lawn mowers and buy more and fix them to resell. February 2023, I decided to take it to the next level and build my passion into a business and got my LLC. I have been in business management for 22 years, so I know how important it is to run a reputable and honest business. You wouldn’t believe how many members of our community need a lawn mower service since there are very few in the area. I also repair all small engines mowers, snowblowers, chainsaws, weed whackers, minibikes, and go carts. I do have pickup and delivery available. I currently work out of a pole barn in hopes to have a shop in the future. Thank you very much to everyone who has made this possible. I hope to see more members of the community in the future!"

You are eligible if you are a small business based in Defiance County and have a revenue no larger than $250,000 annually. Tell Us about YOU and Your Business! Let us know the good or service you are providing for the greater community.

Questions? Reach out to our office, 419-784-4471.