Who we are

Hi, I’m Cyrus Beauvais, Founder and CEO of Tupelo Landscaping LLC. I’m 18 years old, I’ve lived in Arlington, VA my whole life, and I graduated from Wakefield High School last year.

In high school, I worked as a soccer referee, then a dishwasher over Covid, then a lifeguard, and then as a server at another restaurant; I basically did whatever I could to save up money. But before that (before I could legally work), I did yard work around the neighborhood. In seventh grade, when I was 12, I advertised “Cyrus’s Lawn Care Services” on a flyer my mom helped me make in Google Docs. I got about 4 clients, and I would walk my parents’ mower up the hill every weekend to mow their lawns and help with anything else they’d ask me to do. Honestly, I just liked that I had created something for myself.

Fast-forward 5 years, and I was walking across the stage in Constitution Hall wearing a cap and gown for the first time in my life. I had torn my ACL earlier that spring, so I couldn’t keep working at a restaurant or as a lifeguard. I decided, what would be cooler than learning how to start, own, and run a business?! Because I had some experience in lawn care, I decided that would be it. Some of the most fun I’ve had was nestled into the two weeks after graduation, with a constant cycle of research, action, setback, repeat. Once I had the LLC licensed and the business insured, I cajoled some friends from school to come work for me for the summer, along with my younger brother, Xavier. While we started slow, I can’t say anything else in my life has gotten me to work and focus so constantly and consistently (save for the SATs, but that wasn’t because I enjoyed studying). Our original goal was to provide flexible work opportunities while offering high quality, affordable service. By the end of our first summer, we had begun to achieve that.

When I left for college, I worked with my younger brother, Xavier (a current Wakefield student), to take over some of the day-t0-day tasks. He became Tupelo’s first Crew Manager. Since I turned 18 the first day I got to college, a whole world of possibilities (and tasks) opened itself in front of me. However, after that initial buzz, I found myself demotivated about the business when I was simply approving hours and sending invoices from over 800 miles away. I realized that the stagnancy made me bored. I didn’t just want this company to thrive when I was away, I wanted other motivated high schoolers to get as excited about it as I had.

Now, we offer more than the flexible hours and positive work experience we originally promised and strove for. We now offer the opportunity for our top, most committed workers to train and act in a managerial setting, creating a higher level opportunity for leadership and responsibility.

We now employ 8 students in Arlington, VA with two Crew Managers, ages 15 and 18, and I can’t wait to see how we continue to grow. Providing these opportunities for likeminded young adults makes me truly happy and proud, and I’m so glad I’ve gotten the opportunity to set these amazing people up for success.

That said, our high standards translate to intentionality in training, professionalism, and work ethic, which in turn allow us to transform your space into something you’re proud of. I’m so proud of where we’ve gotten so far, and I hope you can join us and help us continue the growth we’re always striving for.