December 04, 2024

Interview Series: Bob and David Grover on Working with Family and Growing a Commercial Landscaping Business

57 minutes

Bob and David Grover join Marty Grunder on The Grow Show this week to talk about working with family, the journey and growth of Pacific Landscape Management, and what goes into running their Portland, OR-based commercial landscaping business.

The episode delves into turning a shared passion for the outdoors into a thriving family business in landscaping. The Grovers candidly discuss the unique challenges of managing family dynamics in a business setting, their strategies for maintaining professionalism, and the necessity of clear boundaries and mutual respect. They also share insights on business growth, particularly their expansion from Portland to Seattle, and discuss effective communication strategies that prioritize transparency and collaboration. This episode provides valuable advice for those involved in family businesses and anyone seeking success in the green industry.

Pacific Landscape Management, founded in 2001, has grown into a leading landscape management company in the northwest with 4 branches in Oregon and Washington. In 2022, they expanded to the Puget Sound region, partnering with Earthworks Landscape Services and His Hands Lawncare. With a team of 500, they manage over 2,000 properties from Everett, WA to Corvallis, OR. Pacific offers full-service landscape management, specializing in sustainable practices such as water conservation, pesticide reduction, and waste recycling. They are committed to enhancing landscapes while minimizing environmental impact, earning national recognition for their efforts.

In This Episode:

Intro and background - Bob and David Grover, Bob Grover's early career in horticulture, creating a respectful culture at Pacific Landscape Management

David Grover's journey in the family business, educational path and leadership development, balancing family expectations and personal integrity

How the commercial business is segmented, business growth and labor challenges in expansion, applying "optimistically paranoid" for risk management, taking on an equity partner

Challenges, strategies, and advice for navigating family dynamics at work, professional boundaries in family business

Effective communication for business success, addressing generational differences in the workplace, what younger people are looking for

Looking forward to GROW! 2025

Share with someone in landscaping, subscribe, like, share, and send us your show ideas and comments!

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape professionals. Your host is Marty Grunder, president and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co., one of the most successful design-build operations of its kind in the Midwest. The Grow Show shares ideas, tips, tactics, and insights that will help you grow your landscaping business.

Resources:

Book: Only the Paranoid Survive

Pacific Landscape Management

Virtual Sales Bootcamp

Grunder Landscaping Fall 2024 Field Trips

GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH

The Grow Group

Grunder Landscaping

Marty Grunder LinkedIn

Stihl

...more

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By Marty Grunder

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