At the first whiff of Pink Jasmine, you know that spring is here. I always look forward to that smell. It reminds me that it’s time to get the boat ready and my company prepped for the big push.
Read MoreThe year is off to a fast start and we’re not slowing down. We’ve already had our kickoff meeting and first educational event of the year. If you didn’t make it to our February 15 Lunch and Learn at Ewing Outdoor Supply, you missed a great one. Attendees learned about soil type and how it impacts the drip design, how to properly design a system for correct pressure and flow, how to design for slopes and change of elevation, and how to fertilize with a drip system. Thank you to Netafim reps Allister Cooney, Bill Milward, and Carlos Lemos. The information they provided was invaluable!
Read MoreHere we are, embarking on another year with lots of optimism, hope, and dreams. Many I know are setting new year’s resolutions this time of year. I like to set goals. Goal setting plays a crucial role in the success and sustainability of my business and helps me reach my dreams. They provide a clear direction for my business and help me define what I want to achieve.
Read MoreDecember marks the end of another year. Time sure flies when you’re busy in your business and personal life. As I prepare to close out the year, I like to reflect on what was accomplished. What worked and didn’t work. Which employees did their job and stood out. Which ones didn’t. I look at what I can do to improve my leadership and the leadership of my supervisors.
Read MoreI can’t believe it’s already November and Thanksgiving time. Before I get lost in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I like to reflect on the many blessings in my life.
This year I am especially thankful for FAMILY. I have been blessed with family connections in both my personal and business parts of life and they all mean a lot to me.
Read MoreAfter this year’s awards banquet, I was approached by several people thanking me for donating my time to the CLCA. It caught me a little off guard. I had never really thought of it as a donation of time. Yes, it adds to my workload but, for the most part, giving back has just become part of my normal professional routine.
Read MoreFor the last year I have struggled to find quality employees. Experienced ones are even harder to find. With unemployment at one of its lowest levels ever, there just doesn’t seem to be much to pick from.
Being understaffed can sometimes make you feel desperate to hire just about anybody. This past spring, I was doing just that. During my last round of hiring though, I realized that by not hiring the right people, I was dropping my company standards. I felt like I was settling and that really bothered me. When it comes to employees and business, I have always lived by the saying, “The tail doesn’t wag the dog.”
Read MoreEven though it’s not the end of my term, I would like to take this opportunity to thank my board who work to ensure our chapter and its events are successful. The success of our chapter is a group effort, spearheaded by people who tirelessly give of their spare time for the betterment of our association; time that is in addition to performing their job duties and family time. Without these types of people, who somehow find time to volunteer, there would be no community or professional boards, fundraisers, or volunteer coaches. It just goes to show that if you want to make a difference, “you will make it happen.”
Read MoreIn looking back at the nearly forty years I’ve worked in the landscape industry, I was thinking about what has kept me going and in business. My wife has played a huge part. She has put up with the ups and downs and has given me the strength and encouragement to keep pushing forward. I’ve also been fortunate to have some great mentors. The one thing that really stands out to me, that I keep coming back to, is the CLCA. While I don’t utilize all the benefits of my membership – there are a lot of them – I feel that I have gotten what I needed over the years. CLCA has supported me, motivated me, connected me, educated me, and helped grow me. Keeping me in the game all these years later.
Read MoreBeing a member of CLCA is great but, to truly reap the benefits of membership in a professional association, you need to be involved.
Read MoreThis year’s Beautification Awards are approaching. How can you use this program to build and grow your business? There are several ways it can be used to move your company forward.
Read MoreI know it’s hard to believe, but it’s time to start thinking about your Beautification Award entries. April is a good time to analyze which jobs you think will do best in the competition and are the easiest to get ready. When deciding which projects to enter, here are a couple things to keep in mind. If it’s a maintenance job, you have to have had the account for at least one year before the judging. If it’s an installation job, the work needs to be 100% complete before the judging. This year’s judging will take place June 15-17.
Read MoreOne of the best ways to grow your business is to build relationships with your local supplier representatives. These relationships enable you to tap into information and resources that might otherwise be hard and timely to find.
Read MoreAs your new president, I feel it’s important to point out my objectives and goals for the year. I’m hoping that we can strengthen our chapter by working together towards these goals; helping to grow and make our chapter something that all landscape contractors want to be a part of.
Read MoreI encourage you to make it a new year goal to attend our events. Broaden your business skills and learn from other contractors. Introduce yourself to me and I will introduce you to the people I know. Let me help you grow your network!
Read MoreThis has been an eventful year for my family, my team, and our industry. So much has happened and I can’t believe how fast the year has gone by.
Read MoreKnowing how to research and collect data is critical to success, in any field or application. Data collection is crucial for identifying issues and cycles within your business. Personally, it has helped me grow and improve my company. For example, our industry generally slows down around December and January. I know this because I look at the data from my website and ad platforms; our inquiries and calls are significantly reduced during this time. Knowing this enables me to plan and use this slower time to do other things to grow and improve my business.
Read MoreI’ve been reflecting on my priorities in life recently. Last month my father-in-law died from a heart attack, and it came as a shock to my whole family. On the heels of celebrating a newborn, we are grieving a heartbreaking loss. Two long-time CLCA members and green industry friends also died last month, Nelson Colvin and John Marman. This has been an emotional time for me. Life cannot be taken for granted. I do my best to have a good work-life balance and encourage my team to do the same. What is the point of working hard if you can’t enjoy your life? Right now, the most important thing for me is to spend time with my family. I’m grateful for CLCA’s support.
Read MoreContinual learning is a great entrepreneurial trait and the key to success. Understanding that, CLCA offers several resources to support your learning. At the state level, there are webinars on a variety of topics. There are also educational opportunities at the annual convention, this year being held November 9-11 in Indian Wells, CA. At the local level, we have our CLCA Universities. Our next one is scheduled for October 12 on the topic of Marketing your Business and Increasing Sales.
Read MoreIt’s been a rough month for me. Many sleepless nights, changing of a lot of diapers, and getting pooped on more often than I’d care to say. Dealing with a crying baby is no fun either. I’m constantly trying to figure out the source of his cries. Is he hungry, tired, or does he need to be burped? It’s been a while since I’ve had to deal with a newborn child and I’m definitely feeling out of practice. I’m grateful for my wife, Kathy, and our families who are a great support during this challenging time.
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