Celebrating Local Innovation: 2025 Young Entrepreneur Award Winner - Ryder Godsey of RG Lawn Pros, LLC

Each year, London Downtown honors one outstanding young entrepreneur who embodies the spirit of creativity, determination, and community impact. This annual Young Entrepreneur Award was created to recognize and encourage individuals of all ages to follow their dreams and pursue their passions, spotlighting those who take the leap to turn those dreams into reality.

Last year, we celebrated Jared Baker of CJ on the Way as our inaugural recipient. This year, we are thrilled to announce that our 2025 Young Entrepreneur Award goes to Ryder Godsey, founder of RG Lawn Pros, LLC.

From left to right: Kristen Strawser, Channing Price, Ryder Godsey, Sabrina McDaries, and Kelvin Hibbard.

At just 13 years old, Ryder began mowing lawns in his neighborhood in 2023. What started as a small summer job quickly grew into a thriving business. By 2024, Ryder had secured a contract with a local property management company, maintaining 73 properties per week. To keep up with demand, he hired 10 employees and expanded his equipment fleet with two additional mowers.

In 2025, Ryder continued to grow RG Lawn Pros — adding cleanup and small landscaping services to his offerings. His team began partnering with local realtors to help clean and beautify properties across the London and Corbin areas. After the recent tornado that impacted parts of our community, Ryder also stepped up to assist with cleanup efforts, demonstrating both leadership and compassion.

To support his continued growth and success, London Downtown is proud to present Ryder with a $500 scholarship to invest back into his business.

Ryder’s story is a reminder that entrepreneurship isn’t defined by age — it’s driven by vision, grit, and heart. We can’t wait to see what’s next for him and RG Lawn Pros!