Two brothers turned a garage idea into a $100M lawn care brand. Discover how their journey proves the power of solving real problems with bold innovation.
Discovering A Problem That Millions Ignored
In 2018, brothers Coulter and Trent Lewis were shopping at a home improvement store when they had a lightbulb moment. Coulter noticed that the lawn care aisle was packed with outdated products, overwhelming packaging, and strong chemical odors. As a father of three, he started asking a simple question—why are families spraying toxic chemicals around their homes?
That question planted the seed for what would eventually become Sunday, a revolutionary lawn care startup aimed at transforming the industry from the ground up. What started as a frustration turned into an opportunity to build something better—something safe, eco-friendly, and effective. And they would do it from their garage in Boulder, Colorado.
What makes their story unique is how relatable their beginning was. They didn’t have millions of dollars in venture capital. They didn’t have a massive lab. What they had was curiosity, a willingness to solve a real problem, and the belief that modern consumers deserved better.
Building A Better Product From Scratch
The brothers were committed to creating a lawn care product that wasn’t just slightly better—it had to be a complete reinvention. They envisioned a future where lawn care would be as easy as clicking a few buttons online and where the products would be natural, personalized, and non-toxic.
Coulter, an engineer by trade with a background in mechanical product design, began experimenting with formulations in their garage. Meanwhile, Trent used his finance expertise to map out how they could launch and sustain a business.
Over the next 12 months, the duo ran real-life tests. They shipped test kits to over 100 families across America and tracked lawn results across an entire season. They paid attention to things most companies ignored—how it smelled, how easy it was to apply, and whether kids and pets could safely play on treated lawns immediately after use.
This customer-first testing model not only built product confidence but also laid the foundation for building a brand that people could trust. By the time Sunday launched to the public in 2019, they already had a fanbase ready to convert into customers.
Using Complementary Strengths To Scale Fast
One of the secrets to the Lewis brothers’ success is how they split responsibilities based on their natural strengths:
- Coulter was obsessed with the product. His experience in engineering helped him iterate quickly, designing packaging, instructions, and formulations that simplified the lawn care process.
- Trent handled the numbers, legal documents, marketing funnels, and investor pitches. He ensured the business model worked and that their growth was sustainable.
Together, they operated like a lean startup machine. No bloated team. No excessive overhead. Just a clear mission: make lawn care smarter, safer, and easier for American families.
This synergy paid off. As customer demand grew, so did media coverage and investor interest. What started in a garage was suddenly attracting attention from major venture capital firms.
Raising Over $100 Million To Disrupt The Industry
Once Sunday had proof of concept, the next step was scale. With a strong brand, proven product, and high customer retention rate, the Lewis brothers began pitching to investors.
Their story was compelling: a billion-dollar industry with outdated players, a unique personalized delivery model, and an increasing wave of eco-conscious consumers. The market was ready.
Investors agreed. The brothers secured over $100 million in funding, allowing Sunday to:
- Scale operations
- Expand to all 50 states
- Improve data systems for personalized lawn reports
- Hire a diverse team of marketers, scientists, and tech engineers
- Launch national campaigns to educate customers on chemical-free lawn care
What stood out was not just their product—but their mission-driven model. Sunday didn’t just sell lawn fertilizer. It sold peace of mind, convenience, and a healthier outdoor lifestyle.
By 2023, Sunday had become one of the fastest-growing home and garden startups in America.
Lessons From The Sunday Startup Journey
The Lewis brothers’ journey from garage to $100 million empire offers powerful lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs:
1. Look For Frustrations, Not Just Ideas
Most great businesses don’t start with grand visions. They begin with a frustration. For Coulter, it was the harsh smell of synthetic lawn chemicals. For you, it could be something in your daily life that feels inefficient or outdated. That’s your goldmine.
2. Build Before You Broadcast
They didn’t start with a pitch deck. They started with prototypes. They tested with real customers. They gathered feedback before going all-in. This approach gave them traction when it was time to raise funds.
3. Use What You Have, Where You Are
No fancy office. No corporate boardroom. Just a garage, grit, and a good idea. That’s all you need to get started.
4. Split Roles Based On Strengths
Coulter and Trent divided their responsibilities. If you’re working with a partner, divide roles so each person focuses on what they do best.
5. Stay True To The Mission
Even with millions in the bank, Sunday stayed aligned with its original goal—making better lawn care accessible to everyone. That clarity helped them grow without losing their identity.
How Their Story Mirrors Other Garage Startups
The Lewis brothers aren’t alone in turning garages into goldmines. Their story joins the ranks of:
- Ben Francis (Gymshark) – Started printing gym clothes in his bedroom in Birmingham and grew it into a billion-dollar brand.
- Larry Page & Sergey Brin (Google) – Built the earliest version of Google in a friend’s garage in California.
- Steve Jobs & Steve Wozniak (Apple) – Launched the first Apple computers from Jobs’ parents’ garage.
- Victor Tsao (Linksys) – Created one of the world’s first home networking products from his garage and sold the company for $500M.
- YoungLA – A brother-led clothing brand started from home and now earns over $175M per year.
What connects these stories? A clear vision, relentless execution, and the humility to start small.
Why The Sunday Story Inspires A New Generation
What Sunday achieved isn’t just financial—it’s cultural. The Lewis brothers disrupted a stale industry and proved that even “boring” products can be exciting when reinvented.
They’re not just selling lawn care. They’re showing that modern consumers want better. Cleaner. Smarter. More personalized. Their journey gives hope to every night owl entrepreneur, every parent with a sketchpad, and every hustler with a dream and a garage.
And perhaps most importantly—it reminds us that today’s backyard frustration can be tomorrow’s $100 million company.