Two Atlanta friends, Jack Faught and Calder Johnson, started selling Christmas trees from a pickup truck in 2015 to help pay their college expenses. A decade later, their small seasonal venture has grown into a seven-location business that sells thousands of trees during the holiday season and has donated more than $230,000 to community causes. A significant part of the money goes towards college scholarships for students who need help affording higher education. The business has also created seasonal employment opportunities for young people, supported local schools and youth sports programmes, and funded tree-planting initiatives. Their venture has turned a college side hustle into a community-focused enterprise.
How two Atlanta friends started selling Christmas trees
The idea took shape in 2015, when Faught and Johnson were 16 and 17 years old and studying at Grady High School, now known as Midtown High School, in Atlanta.The two friends had known each other since first grade and were already working at a Christmas tree lot in Atlanta’s Virginia-Highland neighbourhood. While working there, they noticed that customers were paying around $60 for Christmas tree delivery. They saw an opportunity to start their own small business by selling trees and delivering them directly to customers.Johnson had recently acquired a pickup truck, which became their first delivery vehicle. The friends sourced Christmas trees from suppliers outside Atlanta, transported them in the truck and sold them to neighbours. They began by going door to door and delivering trees to customers’ homes.Their first season was modest, with approximately 30 trees sold. However, the venture helped them earn money towards their college expenses, including tuition, accommodation, food and other living costs.
From a pickup truck to seven Christmas tree locations
As demand grew, the friends began expanding beyond home deliveries. In 2019, they secured a pop-up location through Inter Atlanta FC, a local football club with which both had previously been associated. They reportedly sold around 500 trees at that location before December began.In 2020, they launched a website and purchased 500 Christmas trees for the season. The entire stock sold out before December, encouraging them to expand further.After graduating from the University of Georgia in 2021, where they studied finance and marketing, the two decided to make the business their full-time occupation. They eventually expanded to seven locations across metro Atlanta.By the 2025 Christmas season, the business was expecting to sell more than 4,000 trees. Its products include Fraser fir Christmas trees, wreaths and garlands, along with delivery, installation and post-holiday collection services.The trees are primarily sourced from Christmas tree farms in North Carolina, while some varieties, including Noble firs, come from Oregon.
How the Christmas tree business funds college scholarships
Initially, the business was meant to help the founders pay for their own education. However, after graduating, they decided to use its profits to support other students.In 2021, they established a scholarship programme for students from Atlanta and surrounding communities. During its first year, six students received scholarships of $2,000 each.The business operates on a seasonal model, with profits from Christmas tree sales supporting scholarships and other community initiatives after operating expenses are covered. These expenses include purchasing trees, paying employees, transportation and running the different locations.According to the founders, 100% of the profits remaining after these expenses are donated to community causes.The organisation’s official website reports more than $230,000 in cumulative donations since 2020. Its reported impact includes $120,245 in scholarships awarded to 58 students.Students can apply for scholarships through the programme, with preference given to applicants from Atlanta-area schools. The application also asks them to explain how they intend to make their community or the wider world a better place after college.
The business also creates jobs and supports local communities
Beyond scholarships, Trees for Tuition has created seasonal employment opportunities for high-school and college students. The business has employed more than 100 people, most of them students, according to a 2023 report by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.It also supports local schools through donations to Parent Teacher Organisations and helps young footballers from families who might otherwise struggle to afford participation in the sport.One of its beneficiaries is Inter Atlanta FC, the football club where the founders played when they were younger. The business contributes towards registration fees, uniforms, equipment and other expenses for young players.In addition, the founders have partnered with tree-planting organisations to support reforestation. Trees for Tuition says it plants one tree for every Christmas tree sold. Its website reports that more than 23,000 trees have been planted through the initiative.The business has also expanded into seasonal pumpkin sales, offering pumpkin delivery and collection services during autumn. These activities allow it to support community projects beyond the Christmas season.
