To help cover the adoption legal expenses his stepfather needs to adopt him and his older brother, a 14-year-old lad from Cayce, South Carolina, who just launched his own lawn care firm.
According to Tyce Pender, 36-year-old Eric Jenkins has been his father figure since he was two years old. Several years later, he proposed to his mother Marcy, who had begun dating him in 2010.
“He’s always been there for us and helps me with anything I need like homework,” Tyce said.
The couple discussed Eric adopting Tyce and his elder brother, Tylee, when they married two years later. Thankfully, a pro bono lawyer was able to be hired for the case.
Other anticipated adoption legal costs may need the family to spend thousands of dollars, despite their good fortune in finding such a lawyer.
Yet the parents were persuaded to approve an adoption by their brothers and their 14-year-old stepsister Tierrianna.
Facebook“This is important because Eric teaches me respect, independence and what a man is supposed to be,” Tyce explained. “If anything ever happens to my mom, Eric is who I’d want to live with.”
Knowing that court is expensive, Tyce wanted to help his parents with the adoption expenses.
Jayden, 21, used to mow lawns as a kid to make money during the summer, according to the teenager.
Tyce believed he could perform the same feat with a lawnmower, although he had only used one on his grwhilemother’s grass. He claims, however, that he has seen others accomplish the feat.
FacebookWhen Eric heard about Tyce’s intention to help, he was moved.
“Caring for Tyce is my job,” he said. “His heart is in the right place.”
“I’m glad that he wanted to do this and even if he really doesn’t make anything it’s good for him… We’re very proud of Tyce and he tries really hard and he’s got so many goals,” Marcy said.
Marcy purchased him a $192 battery-powered lawnmower last month. Tyce & Company Lawn Service was then advertised on Facebook by the teenager.
“Hi my name is Tyce,” he wrote in the post. “I am 14 years old and today my mom gave me a business loan and I was able to purchase a rechargeable lawn mower. I do have safety glasses and gloves and I am hoping to find some yards to cut and maybe even maintain them.”
FacebookTyce additionally said that he had an electric leaf blower and a rake, and that he was available afternoons and all day on weekends throughout the school year.
Tyce’s first customer was Sarah Larrabee in West Columbia, who he met shortly after.
Marcy waited in the vehicle for Tyce to complete his task, which he did.
“At first, I was pretty intimated,” he recalled. “But her yard wasn’t that big.”
Tyce completed his first project after an hour.
“It went so well, he was such a sweet kid, so polite and like, just so happy to be there and excited to have his first job, and it was just so sweet,” Sarah said about Tyce’s service.
FacebookTyce has so far earned $400 after working after school and on weekends, cutting approximately 16 yards. He just negotiates with clients on a fair fee, and he doesn’t have an official price list yet.
Until he graduates from high school, he intends to run his lawn care company.
Eric said that he and Marcy would cover the majority of the adoption expenses, despite Tyce’s contribution.
“I’m extremely proud of Tyce,” he said. “He’s a good kid.”
You can contact Tyce on Instagram if you’re in the vicinity and want to hire him.