Wilson senior Watson already a Pee Dee entrepreneur

FLORENCE — James R. Watson Jr. has been called one of the most intriguing and hard-working students to graduate from Wilson High School.

That’s because in just one short month, Watson, along with his high school friend, Ryan McWhite, have started their very own lawn care business — J & R Lawn Maintenance.

Watson has also become one of the most sought-after disc jockeys in the Pee Dee.

Watson will graduate with his classmates Saturday at Florence Civic Center. The ceremony begins at 2 p.m.

Watson said McWhite had the idea of starting the lawn care business in May.

Watson said he thought the idea was a great way to earn some extra money, but if it was to be successful, the two would have to start the business in the right way.

Both Watson and McWhite developed business cards, flyers and other promotional items to help market themselves.

The two went door-to-door, passing out the material introducing themselves as the newest lawn care service in Florence.

“That approach really helped us out a lot,” Watson said. “It showed that we were serious about it.”

In just the first week, Watson said the business had at least six clients from Quinby.

Eventually, word spread about the two young men and they were able to expand the service to include commercial properties.

On average, Watson said the two, along with a team of friends, provide lawn care maintenance to 10 or 11 clients at a time, including Situs Properties in Florence and Jones Law Firm in Hartsville.

When Watson isn’t out mowing, edging or clearing land, the 18-year-old is busy honing his craft as the next bigtime DJ.

Thirteen months ago, Watson was just getting his feet wet in the entertainment business. His first gig was a birthday party held in a pool house at Brittany Place, an apartment complex in Florence.

Now, Watson performs at least twice a week and has mentored with some of the best local DJs.

Watson has even signed with a local entertainment promotional group called Snapfinger Promotions as the company’s official DJ.

Snapfinger Promotions is responsible for bringing such musical acts as Fantasia, Lil’ Ru, Lil’ Boosie and Gucci Mane to Florence.

He will also work with ET4U Studio in Florence.

At age 16, Watson said, he began to learn the DJ business while working with Power 99.3 DJ Buddha Ratt, formerly of WYNN 106.3.

Watson was later mentored by WYNN 106.3 DJ Shi-C, DJ Blaze and DJ B-Lord.

“They opened up a lot of doors for us,” Watson said. “When they were overbooked, they would call us.

“Once we got in (the business), we took advantage of the opportunities (available to us),” he said.

From very humble beginnings, Watson said, he now DJs every week in places across the Pee Dee, in Sumter and Columbia.

Watson will also travel to Puerto Rico in September with Snapfinger Promotions, which marks the next step in his quest to become a national and internationally-known DJ.

Haylea Jordan, a school-to-work coordinator for both Wilson and West Florence high schools, said the more she talked with Watson, the more intrigued she became.

“He has big plans for the future,” Jordan said. “I think it’s phenomenal.

“He seems older, mentally, than a 17- and 18-year old high school student,” she said. “I think he has big things coming because of it.”

The son of James and Cynthia Watson, Watson will attend Coker College in the fall and major in mass communications and business. Watson is also a musician playing the alto, baritone and tenor saxophones.

For Watson’s lawn care or DJ services, call (843) 687-1264 or e-mail merchant042003@yahoo.com.

On the Web

Wilson High School, www.fsd1.org/wilson