February 2019 - The Edge from the National Association of Landscape Professionals

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Month: February 2019

Nikos Phelps switches to four, 10-hour days weekly to improve work/life balance.

How Utopian Landscapes Switched its Schedule to Help Employees Achieve Work/Life Balance

Landscape business owners often feel like there is an “us versus them” mentality when it comes to employees. They feel like everyone is just in it for themselves. Nikos Phelps, founder of Utopian Landscapes LLC based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, says that he sensed tension building in his company and took a step back to ask […]

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NALP Member Jarod Hynson of Earth, Turf & Wood Talks About His Industry Mentors & More

The first time NALP member Jarod Hynson mowed a lawn with a push mower at 8 years old, the smell of fresh grass, the symmetry of perfect stripes and the sense of accomplishment made the outdoors a place that he wanted to forever call “home.” He started his company, Earth, Turf & Wood, based in […]

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What is Your Biggest Labor Issue and How Are You Trying to Solve It?

NALP seeks to uncover and highlight the important issues facing landscape professionals. And who knows better what’s affecting the industry than those in the thick of it? This week, four landscape professionals share what they’re most worried about when it comes to their largest labor issue. Q: What is your biggest labor issue right now, […]

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How North Point Outdoors Found Its Business Focus

Growing his company through the 2008 recession meant that Dave Fairburn, CEO of North Point Outdoors in Windham, New Hampshire, found he was “saying yes” to nearly every opportunity. He was always afraid to turn work down because he was unsure where it’d come from next. While trying to be all things to all people […]

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How YardApes Survived Not Getting its Returning H-2B Workers

Like a lot of landscape business owners, Shayne Newman, owner of YardApes, a full-service design, construction and maintenance company, was significantly impacted by the lack of visas to come through the H-2B program this past year. Of the 66,000 available, he didn’t get a single one—and he admits he was unprepared for it to be […]

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Meet NALP Member Bill Dysert of Exscape Designs

Exscape Designs is a full service design/build company headquartered in Novelty, Ohio. Owner Bill Dysert says the company’s success comes from upholding and operating by three key core values: integrity, professionalism and accountability. “Our mission is to design, build and maintain outdoor living spaces that enhance the property value and quality of life for our […]

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How Forming a Local Peer Group Made DeSantis Landscapes Stronger

As is often said, “It can be lonely at the top.” Dean DeSantis, owner of DeSantis Landscapes, a Portland, Oregon-based landscape design, installation and lawn care company, was wrestling with this very feeling. Though he has a great team in place, he felt he had nobody to consult with for higher level advice. Because of […]

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Having a Hard Time Recruiting Employees? Try This Strategy from Timberline Landscaping

If recruiting employees is one of your greatest challenges, you aren’t alone. Many landscape business owners say recruiting—and retaining—good talent is an ongoing source of stress. As a result, achieving success in this area might call for some out-of-the-box thinking. Doing just that, Timberline Landscaping in Colorado Springs, Colorado, has created a gap year opportunity. […]

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NALP member Bruce Allentuck

Meet NALP Member Bruce Allentuck of Allentuck Landscaping

NALP member Bruce Allentuck says he was young and naive when he started mowing lawns as a kid. He had no idea there was a whole industry out there representing landscape maintenance. He just knew he enjoyed being outside and doing a good, honest day’s work. NALP Member Spotlight Bruce Allentuck, Allentuck Landscaping Location: Clarksburg, […]

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