Total Landscape Care Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/165924
landscaper of the year finalist landscaper of the year finalist To survive the economic crash in 2008, Brockelbank changed his company's business plan to include maintenance, as well as design/build projects. He began marketing the business heavily, something he never had to do, working with editors of local newspapers and magazines to pitch stories to get his name and ideas into the mainstream media. He also purchased advertising and implemented social media strategies. Brockelbank manages business development and sales, while Heather oversees the accounting and public relations of the business as they balance life with their three small children. To continue to grow their business, Brockelbank also invested in the help of some well-known industry consultants such as Marty Grunder and Tony Bass. "I figured out where I wanted to go and did the things that made them successful. I learned the trends and from their mistakes." Brockelbank even reads psychology books to learn how to better serve his customers. "You should treat customers like you are going to work for them long term," he says. The bulk of Metro Greenscape's work remains high-end design/build, with about half of the projects costing more than $100,000. Customers choose Metro Greenscape because of the quality of work and because it's a one-stop shop, allowing projects to be completed quickly and without customers having to deal with several different companies. "We have created grottos, pools with swim-up bars, pavilions and ponds you can swim in. If you can imagine it, we have done it," he says. However, offering so many services can sometimes make it a challenge to hire appropriate managers, he says, since most employees excel only in a few areas, and the company's work load changes from month to month. But Brockelbank has never shied away from a challenge. "Today, we are a strong, two-headed monster with revenues of around $4.5 million," he says. "Our sacrifices and strategic thinking have paid off big time." tlc Text info to 205-289-3796 or visit TLCrequest.com Remodeling the business s e p t e m b e r 2013 TLC0913_LOY2.indd 39 TotalLa nd s ca p e C a re . c o m 39 8/26/13 4:24 PM