The Landscape Contractor
What’s the name of your business?
The Landscape Contractor is the name of my business and I have been licensed and bonded for 22 years.
Do you have a passion for this?
I have had a passion for plants, trees and building yards since I got started at age 18.
How did your passion begin?
I started in the nursery business at age 18 as a “Carry Out” someone who carries products to the parking lot and loads customer’s cars. The ending of my first week at work I was asked to plant 12 roses for a customer at their home and they paid me to do this and then I was hooked.
What year did you start your business?
My first landscape company was called Dynamic Landscape Services and I started this company in 1998 right after I was married.
What have been your biggest struggles?
My biggest struggles with a design/build landscape business is keeping all of the men working at all times, along with keeping customer satisfaction high based on quality of build and amount of time to build, and finally making profit on the build at the end.
What has been your biggest accomplishment?
My biggest accomplishment by far has been the ability to take care of my family from a financial stand point by running a landscape business that I love.
As a small business owner what’s your advice for motivation?
My greatest advice for motivation in life as well as business is–find something you love doing and serve others with all that have, and you will never work a day in your life! Never make your decision about how much money are you going to make instead find something that makes you feel happy doing and with passion and hard work and service money will always follow.
How do you budget your resources amongst advertising for yourself?
I spend the minimum amount of money on advertisement as most of my business has been referral driven.
What’s your best form of advertising that you use to promote your business?
Good yelp reviews and postcards created by TLC3Publishing targeted to specific neighborhoods. Occasionally I’ve posted an advertisement in a local magazine.
What’s your favorite social media platform?
I do not have a favorite social media platform as my approach to business has always been face to face with my clients, suppliers, and subcontractors. But I am on Yelp for reviews. (see above for link) That has been a positive social media for my company.
Does your passion ever burn out?
My passion never burns out but unfortunately, my energy as I get older gets less and less to run as hard as I once could.
Do you have a quote or bible verse that you live by?
My Bible verse that guides me is 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love is Patient, Love is Kind.
“Spend more time improving yourself, and being less critical of others” – Taven Cohn
What are your future goals for your company?
I want to run my company one more year then I want to teach this trade to young people.
What’s been your biggest regret in business?
I don’t have any regrets in business. I have never been afraid to try new things. We need to accept the good and bad in everything but asking questions is very important. Also you must pay attention to red flags.
What advice would you give to somebody who has a passion to start their business?
Don’t ever be afraid. Just get started and let each day to day build on each other and know that we never stop learning.
How many years have you been in business?
I have been in business 22 years.
How many years were good years and how many years did you struggle?
As a design/build landscape contractor I would say 50% of my years have been good years and 50% have been years of struggle.
What organizations are you involved in?
I do not belong to any network groups but I need to. The National Association of Landscapers has important information.
Does the small business administration or Chamber of Commerce really help?
They have a lot of resources I used when first starting out.
If you could write a law to help small business owners what would it be?
If I could write a law for small business owners I would take away the self employment tax we have to pay.
Did AB5 affect you?
Not at this time
How do you make your customers feel special?
I make my customers feel special in many ways. They have always trusted me with large amounts of their personal money to build their yards so I have always made myself extremely available to them with any question or concern or new change. I want all of my customers to have a great experience having their yard built or remodeled and I want them to experience exceptional customer service.
What’s your rate of retention on your customers?
I do not have a rate of retention as I am only as good as my last build. Once my project is completed I am out of work looking for work. When my customers move and are looking for a new landscape they usually call me or refer me to others.
How do you determine if you should work with a client or not what are your red flags?
There are many red flags one can develop after years and years working with people. The most important one is attitude. The customers with a good attitude toward the overall perceived value of the project and approximate time to build are the very best to work for.
How many people work in your company?
I have worked with as many as 45 people in my business but now I work with about 8 to 12 as I build only one project at a time.
Do you own a sole proprietorship, a partnership or a corporation?
I own a sole proprietorship as I run a small business and my team of Sub Contractors are my work force.
Is there anything you are doing during the current state of affairs (coronavirus) to help out your community?
We did have to pull our crew off a job when the state of California deemed us to stay at home. During this time, I have focused time with family, and I love to BBQ and make great meals for my people and trim and manicure my massive yard. I am very concerned about what the future of homeowners spending will look like at the conclusion of this virus as this could trigger another massive down turn and directly effect my earning capabilities and the ability to create work for all of my team! Once again I will need to diversify to make ends meet.
How can you give back during this time of the virus shutdown.
I am giving back by staying home and obeying the social distancing so I do not get sick and make others sick.
What’s the best way to contact you?
You can reach me at 714. 746. 4559 for free estimates and to arrange a consultation. Visit my Yelp to read reviews and visit my website for our latest projects. *mention this interview and share the love.
