Total Landscape Care Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/267037
landscaper of the year fi nalist don't tell them what time to go home. They know what needs to get done. Sometimes they work a short day, and some- times they work a long day." However, Ben and Joe both understand there is a trade off for running a business with a lot of fl exibility. "We try to fi t everything around the most im- portant things in our life, which is our families," Ben says. "My dad works less now running his own business than he did elsewhere. Most people don't go into business for themselves to work less. Obviously, we know there is a trade off for that, but we consider ourselves a true family business." View more of Ross NW Watergardens' project photos at totallandscapecare.com/ ross-nw-watergardens. 3 4 To t a l L a n d s c a p e C a r e . c o m M A R C H 2 014 1 Build relationships. "We've built relationships with designers and with other companies who have been willing to use us as subcontractors," Joe says. "It has been important to bringing in work and to our business." 2 Be fl exible and reasonable with employees. "It's about allowing them to be fl exible with their schedules or taking off time when they need to on short notice to handle things with their family," Ben says. "As a result, we have kept employees for a really long time." 3 Be fl exible with clients. Every company has diffi cult clients, but it's how they work with them that matters, Joe says. "Don't give in everything, but do what you can to work with someone who's diffi cult." 4 Set yourself apart. "We've also tried to have something that differentiated us, and for us, that's the way we use stone," Ben says. "Whether it's patios or walkways or even within a water feature, it's something that sets us apart and makes us different so that we don't always have to try to be the low bid. It's about the quality – not necessarily about the price." 5 Spend within your means. "We've always run the company pretty lean," Joe says. "We have never invested heavily in overhead and things that make it diffi cult for us if the economy turns down or if things get diffi cult. We have been able to survive tough times that way." To hear more of Joe and Ben's business tips, visit totallandscapecare.com/ bowen-success and watch their video. 5 TIPS TO THE BOWENS' SUCCESS Built into a stone wall and integrated with an adjacent Bluestone patio, this project uses a small water feature surrounded by natural elements that serves as the focal point for an entry courtyard.