Lakeside Services Makes Lake Okoboji Beautiful One Dock At a Time
Tackling the difficult has been a common trait for a pair of young entrepreneurs. In 2024, college students Bode Higgins and Ella Turner saw a firsthand need in the Iowa Great Lakes and are now entering season three with their business, Lakeside Services, LLC.
Lakeweed build-up can make a lakeshore uninviting and difficult to navigate. Removing the aquatic weeds isn’t a fun task and can take considerable time, especially when most lakegoers would prefer to enjoy the water or go for a boat ride.
“The idea for Lakeside Services began with a simple need we experienced firsthand,” Ella shared. “Every summer, we regularly had to remove the lakeweed at my family’s lake property. We quickly realized there was a significant demand for this service.”
After talking to neighboring lakefront owners, it became evident that many others in the area were also interested in a reliable solution and needed help removing and disposing of the lakeweed around their property.
From there, Lakeside Services created the motto, “Making Lake Okoboji a better place one dock at a time” and became an aquatic weed removal company servicing the Iowa Great Lakes region. The young company specializes in cutting, removing, and disposing of lakeweed from along the shoreline and around docks of lakefront properties. Bode and Ella currently employ six additional part-time team members who work in small, coordinated crews of three.
Each crew includes one individual responsible for cutting the vegetation and two members who rake and collect the weeds. All team members assist in hauling and properly disposing of the removed lakeweed off-site, handling it in a way that keeps the lake and surrounding environment clean.
Starting a Business
In 2024, Ella had just graduated from Spirit Lake High School and Bode was entering his senior year. At this point, most teenagers weren’t considering starting a business, even more so during the region’s “Flood of 2024.”
“Through the process of building this business, we have learned the value of teamwork, clear communication and to have a strong work ethic,” Ella said. “We also learned the importance of trial and error, as not every idea will work immediately.”
For instance, a crew lost a rake at the bottom of the lake, which, Ella shared, “It did give the guys a good reason to jump into the water!” Since then, each crew is required to carry goggles on them.
Lakeside Services took those errors as opportunities to learn and grow. They also saw firsthand the impact networking and personal connection can work within a business. “One conversation or referral can lead to unexpected growth,” she said. “You can’t be afraid of rejection and not asking is often more limiting than hearing ‘no.’”
It wasn’t easy to venture out and talk with potential customers. The couple had to step outside their comfort zone when going door-to-door, but in the end, they appreciated the process and it helped them fully commit to their vision from the very beginning.
“That personal approach of going door-by-door helped us establish trust right away,” Bode explained.
“From there, we expanded through social media and word-of-mouth referrals. To encourage long-term relationships, we offer a discounted rate for clients who sign up for weekly services compared to a one-time cleanup. This has helped create consistency for both our clients and our business.”
Early on, Bode and Ella had to learn how to properly price their services to reflect both the time and physical effort each job required. Crews learned the importance of efficiency and what tools and techniques were necessary for doing a good job. Each week, they worked on improving their process, which they said, “helped us grow both in confidence and in the quality of service we provide.”
Last summer, Lakeside Services serviced over 20 properties on a weekly basis, including condo associations and one-time clean-ups. They felt this was appropriate for their team size and capacity. Now, preparing for season three, they are focused on maintaining growth.
For the future, Lakeside Services goals are continual growth, while remaining loyal to current clients. They want all their staff to maintain a high standard of work, while satisfying their clients. Ella also looks to expand the company’s digital presence and marketing efforts.
“We want to stay motivated and hungry, consistently delivering excellent service to every client,” Ella shared. “Long-term success for us depends on reliability, attention to detail, and maintaining strong relationships with the community.”
Clients can choose between a one-time cleanup or enroll in their “Oko-local package,” which includes weekly services throughout the summer. “This ongoing service is the most popular among clients as it allows us to stay ahead of weed growth and ensures clients enjoy clear water ideal for swimming, fishing, and easy boat access all summer long,” Bode said.
Advice for Young Entrepreneurs
Both Bode and Ella recommend following your dreams and to not get bogged down by fears or uncertainty. “For anyone else our age looking to do something different and follow a dream, we encourage you to find a niche and a market where there is a clear need,” they said.
Then build trust with your clients. “Being loyal, have strong communication and a good reputation will take you much farther than you think,” Bode said. “Set yourself apart by setting high standards and consistently deliver quality work. Most importantly, if you have an idea, take the step of faith and make it happen. This is the time in life to take risks and learn through experience.”
Bode and Ella also value their young company’s team culture and regularly want to reward their crews for their hard work. “We like taking the crew out to Pizza Ranch to reward their hard work and give them some well-earned bonding time,” Ella added.
For a free quote, call (712) 339-3120. Lakeside Services can also be found on Facebook and Instagram @lakesideservices_
One dock at a time, Lakeside Services is making the Iowa Great Lakes beautiful!