---
title: "Waterloo Turf Builds Presence in Franchise-Friendly States"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/9d3c5008-d854-46a0-9564-056cbe13a4fa
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20251118_waterloo_turf_builds_presence_in_franchisefriendly_states.html
category: "Lawn & pest"
industry: "Home Services"
segment: "Lawn & pest"
published: 2025-11-18T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-10-31T17:38:40.366Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1503387762-592deb58ef4e?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# Waterloo Turf Builds Presence in Franchise-Friendly States

**TL;DR:** Waterloo Turf is building its presence in franchise-friendly states with partners such as Stephen Tong, Hunter Knowles, and Joshua Boyett. These partners have backgrounds in law enforcement and other fields, and have chosen to become entrepreneurs with Waterloo Turf to achieve a better work-life balance and build their own businesses.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2025-11-18. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20251118_waterloo_turf_builds_presence_in_franchisefriendly_states.html).*

## Story

Franchise partner Stephen Tong oversees service throughout Waco and College Station. Like many Waterloo franchisees, Tong has a background in law enforcement, having been a Deputy Sheriff, a member of SWAT, a K9 Handler, a Field Handler, a Field Training Officer, and a Detective in the Major Crimes Unit. After 10 years in Law Enforcement, he decided to pursue his dream of becoming an entrepreneur.

“Law enforcement is a very secure and stable job. I spent a decade doing it. It proved to be too much working nights, weekends, and holidays, just missing so much time with my family and friends,” Tong said. “Becoming an owner of my own business and having that control and flexibility to be my own boss and have a work-life balance is life-changing.”

Hunter Knowles is the proud owner of Waterloo Turf Boise, where his passion for outdoor living and quality family time drives every project. As a husband, dad, and active member of the Treasure Valley community, Hunter brings a people-over-product mindset and is passionate about giving families their Saturday’s back.

“I started my career in law enforcement before transitioning to medical sales, which is where I have been for the past three and a half years,” Knowles said. “I thought about sticking with sales and continuing to work for someone else. Ultimately, I chose Waterloo once I realized I really wanted to build something of my own and create a family legacy.”

Joshua Boyett is the proud owner of Waterloo Turf Fort Collins and Boulder, where he brings a strong passion for outdoor living, community, and quality service backed by real-world business experience. With 3 years of experience so far in franchising, Boyett is focused on integrity and long-lasting results, Joshua ensures each turf installation is completed with care and craftsmanship.

“I actually sold my first turf job before I even finished training,” Boyett said. “Waterloo’s unmatching franchise and training support equipped me with the tools needed to sell that job and make that first-ever community connection as a local business owner.”

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- Home Services (sector)
- franchise expansion (topic)
- entrepreneurship (topic)
- work life balance (topic)
- Boise, Idaho (location)
- College Station (location)
- Fort Collins (location)
- Waco (location)
- Boulder (location)
- Waterloo Turf (company)
- law enforcement background (topic)

---
Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20251118_waterloo_turf_builds_presence_in_franchisefriendly_states.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/9d3c5008-d854-46a0-9564-056cbe13a4fa).