Adam Linnemann
President, Linnemann Lawn Care & Landscaping
Columbia, Ill.
Education
Columbia High School
Columbia, Ill.
Class of 1999
Southwestern Illinois College
Belleville, Ill.
1999–2001
“I specifically remember sitting inside the classroom thinking, “Man, I could be out there making money,” so I gave it up. Mom wasn’t very happy at the time, but she’s fine with it now.”
Southwestern Illinois Police Academy
2003
“My mom was a 911 police dispatcher when I was little, and that’s what my wife does. Law enforcement has always been in our family and always has interested me.”
Work experience
1999-2001
Emergency medical technician
Columbia, Ill.
2012-2014
Owner/operator
Rent Fun Now
Waterloo, Ill.
“We sold it last year. After paying two guys to set up and take down a bounce house, you’re not making very much and it’s not worth the weekend headache. We broke even though.”
2003-present
Deputy sheriff, part-time
Monroe County, Ill.
2006-present
Patrolman, part-time
Valmeyer Police Department
Valmeyer, Ill.
“I didn’t want to work holidays, nights and weekends and be away from my family. That’s part of law enforcement, so I decided to do it part-time. I work three to four shifts a month.”
March 2010-present
Columnist
Waterloo Republic-Times
Waterloo, Ill.
“I write a monthly column called Ask Adam!, which is anything to do with gardening, lawn care or landscaping. You might not think many people read the paper anymore, but I do have many of the older folks say ‘I read your column.’”
1994-present
President
Linnemann Lawn Care & Landscaping
Columbia, Ill.
“I got started at age 14. I started with a push mower and a wagon. I was mowing about 10 lawns.”
Words of wisdom
“If you’re still working in the field, hire an office coordinator to man the phone and the office. It can take a lot of things of entrepreneur’s plate.”
“Join some sort of networking or peer group to get your name out there and build relationships.”
“Put some trust in your people and delegate. You’re never going to be able to look over their shoulder all the time. You have to be able to let go and trust them.”
