COLUMBUS, Ohio — The song Lean On Me by Bill Withers made such an impact on one Columbus business owner he decided to name his business after it.
Winbush said it's his way of helping the younger generation get passed difficulties in their lives, especially when there is no other support around.
Starting out as contractors, Winbush teaches young people how to start their own lawn care businesses, along with the ins and outs of managing their money.
He said since there’s always rain and sunshine, there will always be yard work for young people to do. He sees this as a great way to not only keep them busy, but to encourage them to keep their community looking good.
At the same time, he said it gives kids and young adults the chance to not allow others to determine their value and worth.
Looking back at his own story of getting let go from a corporate job and struggling to pay bills he said: “Once I got a taste of entrepreneur and self employment, just like never go back to what someone's telling me what I'm worth when some days, I can write myself $100 an hour paycheck.”
While it's been 15 years since he's been in business, Winbush is focused on empowering youth so that when he gets older and can't do the work, people like 23-year-old Markus Moore can step in and carry on the business without missing a beat.
“I just want to offer them something that can possibly get them to the next stage in their life . . . can get them out of the situation that they may or may not be in at the present,” he said.
Moore struggled over the last few years.
“Through my whole early 20s and 18 to 19 I was in jail. I really didn’t get to have a childhood. It was all doing crimes and doing dumb stuff,” he said.
Taking on lawn care, Moore said he just wants to make a life for himself that he can be proud of.
Although he's just getting started, there's no other feeling like it than to know that he's got someone in his corner and has customers that like his work. Plus, knowing Winbush is proud of him and along with his parents, is an added bonus.
“It makes me happy. it makes me wake up with a smile,” he said.
For Winbush, watching young people like Moore does his heart good.
He said it brings “a lot of joy in my heart to see that there's like young men out there who want to do the right thing.”
For now he's just hoping he can help more youth and young adults like Moore find their way as he serves as that person to lean on and provide a helping hand.
To learn more about The Lean on Me Project, click here to visit their Facebook page.