Total Landscape Care Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/93070
Keeping it in the Family if you missed Sean Wimble's excellent article last issue, "Up-selling Residential Sprin- kler Systems," page 31, it's worth retrieving. Wimble, Branch Manager at Ewing Ir- rigation Products in Cedar Park, Texas, outlined innovative ways you can increase profi ts on your next installation. Unfortunately, we erred by not crediting Wimble's connec- tion to Ewing, which is now celebrating its 90th year as a family-owned business. Mea culpa. The landscaping profession is fi lled with family-run busi- nesses, from husband and wife teams to those that have passed through several generations Richard York of family owners, such as Ewing, now run by its third generation of family members and headed by Douglas York, President and Richard York, Chief Operating Offi cer. Of course there are many pitfalls to keeping it all in the family, so I asked Richard York to share his views and experience on the topic. What are the pros and cons of working for a family-owned business? Family dynamics are a challenge. However, if you have good relationships and common goals, you Billy R. Sims, Editor billysims@randallreilly.com Good reasons why landscaping is often a family affair can get a lot accomplished. The business will be at the center of most family discussions, 24/7; this can be a pro as open dialogue can lead to faster progress, or con if you don't strive to main- tain balance with other interests and activities. What advice would you give those poised to take charge of family-owned businesses in the landscaping industry? Have a transition plan that en- ables you to transfer the knowl- edge, including guidelines as to what aspects of the business will be transitioned, according to what timelines. An agreed- upon plan is essential, and can guide discussions and decisions that impact the future of the company. Ninety years as a company… what was the key to this success? I attribute our success to having a good service model, and our mantra established by my grandfa- ther and Ewing founder, King Ewing: "Treat your customers right; the best advertising you can have is a satisfi ed customer." For another success story of a landscaping business also in its third generation of ownership, check out "New Generation, New Ideas," page 21. November 2012 / TOTAL LANDSCAPE CARE 5