In times like these personal responsibility really matters. People have to take the initiative to make things happen, work hard and try to make ends meet. Gary Ashton is that kind of person.

Ashton has a one man business and most of the time he does gardening, pruning and general yard care. But he has branched out into painting and even car detailing because it's what you do if you want to get ahead.

Ashton started his business in a very humble way. He worked out of his car, carrying his shovels, buckets and other garden tools anywhere he could, publicizing his business with hand-made ads.

But then his car broke down and he had to try and keep going by taking the bus, finally saving enough to buy an old truck. But that, too, failed and he was back to square one.

Ashton is not a quitter, though, and he had some signs and flyers made by a client that presented him in a more professional way. That seemed to help and he was able to get enough cash flow to buy a better truck.

"It's got a lot of miles on it but it runs well and looks good," Ashton said.

He now works on personal gardens for around 90 percent of his work and has started doing gardening and landscaping for a few apartment buildings.

Before gardening Ashton got a nursing certificate and worked in that industry for two years, but then decided he wanted something different. He also worked in the Phillipines for six months on a fish processing boat.

Ashton is a hands on hard working man, and while there is a lot of competition for yard care out there, it doesn't scare him one bit.

He said, "If you work hard you don't know how successful you can be."

Ashton can be reached by phone at 932-3447.