Written by: Cassi Smith
For Nathan Krantz, entrepreneurship wasn’t an area he saw himself entering. “I never wanted to become an entrepreneur,” he explains, “I simply believed that with my experience, knowledge, and work ethic, I could build something of my own rather than spend my career building someone else’s.” Out of a lifelong passion for landscaping and a desire to build something meaningful for his family and future, Nathan became the owner of Quiet Mow Lawncare and Design, a Saskatchewan-based business providing professional lawn care, landscape design, and snow removal services to residential and small commercial clients.
Support from Clarence Campeau Development Fund (CCDF) and SaskMétis Economic Development Corporation (SMEDCO) played an important role in helping Nathan turn that vision into reality. From the beginning, he says the organization understood both the challenges and opportunities involved in building a small business. “They were the right partnership for my business because they work constantly with small startups like mine and understand the needs and struggles of starting a small business in Saskatchewan,” Nathan says. “CCDF and SMEDCO took the time to listen and understand what I am trying to build, and have provided expertise, guidance, and encouragement along every step.”
Nathan was born in Fort St. John, British Columbia and raised in Prince George. After graduating high school, he began working in landscape construction before deciding to pursue formal education in the field. He completed an Honours Diploma in Landscape Architectural Technology at NAIT and later earned a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from the University of Idaho, along with a study term at Lincoln University in New Zealand.
These experiences gave him both technical training and international perspective, while reinforcing his passion for working in the green industry. For 10.5 years, Nathan gained valuable professional experience in sales, management, and marketing, but landscaping remained the work he was most drawn to.
In 2022, while still working full time, Nathan began designing residential landscapes and mowing lawns after work. What started as a side project quickly grew into something more. And when Nathan was unexpectedly laid off from his full-time job, he turned what others might see as a setback into a career making opportunity. “It was exactly the push I needed to go from dipping my toe in the industry to diving in cannonball style!” Nathan says.
With the encouragement of his family, Nathan and his wife launched Quiet Mow Lawncare and Design. The company focuses on delivering reliable, high-quality lawn care and landscape services while incorporating quieter electric equipment wherever possible. “My goal is not to build the largest lawn care company with massive revenue,” he explains. “Instead, I want to build a stable, sustainable business that provides a comfortable living, strong work life balance, and meaningful work.”
Today, Quiet Mow Lawncare and Design serves homeowners across the region and continues to steadily grow its client base. The business maintains a strong reputation for professionalism and detailed work, reflected in its five-star Google rating and increasing customer inquiries each season.
Like many small businesses, growth has required careful management of equipment costs, operating expenses, and investment decisions. Nathan continues to take a thoughtful approach to expansion while building a strong foundation for the future. “One of the most rewarding aspects of owning QMLD has been building a loyal customer base and receiving positive feedback from clients. It is incredibly satisfying when customers express how happy they are with the work we do.”
Nathan credits CCDF and SMEDCO with helping provide both financial support and guidance as he built his business. “Being a CCDF and SMEDCO client has been nothing but positive,” he says. “Along with the financial benefits of a grant and affordable loan, I have found that the CCDF and SMEDCO employees and managers are interested only in seeing my business succeed.”
For Nathan, entrepreneurship is deeply connected to family and the future he hopes to build for his children. “My biggest motivation is my family. I have a wife and two young sons who rely on me, and that responsibility drives me to succeed.”
Looking ahead, he plans to continue growing Quiet Mow Lawncare and Design into a stable year-round business that allows him to support his family while staying connected to the work he loves.
“I am proud of my Métis ancestry and committed to making the most of the opportunity that has been provided.”