CEO Ed Koenig and Lifestyle Landscapes Executive Assistant Terri Healey. (Submitted)
As cabin fever begins to set in across Northeast Ohio, the thought of being outside, the smell of freshly cut grass, and the sight of blooming flowers fill everyone's head.
And for one Lorain County landscaping company, the sky's the limit when it comes to promising growth opportunities and actively recruiting employees to join the company.
Lifestyle Landscape Center of North Ridgeville, 34613 Ridge Road, opened in 1976 and has remained a fixture in the area for decades.
It was Don Hoffman's brainchild, which current CEO Ed Koenig says created a legacy of excellence for gardeners who shared it with passion and integrity.
And that passion continues to inspire the team to this day.
“We are different simply because our people are different,” Koenig said. “Our team of creative experts is motivated by contributing to your quality of life.
“We truly appreciate the work we do every day, especially working with our clients to create the outdoor spaces of their dreams. We care about the look and feel of our customers' gardens, and if they don't… will be considered personally.
“Our decades-long relationships with our customers remain our most important asset.”
Koenig started working for Hoffman in 1982 as a business development representative, noting that their respective families grew up together in the area and were lifelong friends.
Mr. Koenig left the company in 2013 to pursue greener pastures and further growth opportunities in the commercial landscaping field.
However, he later admitted that he did not enjoy the commercial landscaping business because he was unable to develop relationships. Instead, he ended up with a purely transactional, cheaper-is-better business model.
Coincidentally, at this point Hoffman was considering selling the business and retiring, and asked Koenig if he would be interested in returning.
Koenig said he was reluctant at first, but eventually decided that lifestyle landscaping was where he wanted to go and took over the business.
business growth
And soon, Koenig doubled his business.
“I wanted to get back into growth mode. I'm a growth person,” he explained. “And if we can find more great employees who enjoy this very rewarding career, our company could grow even more. We can earn a good living, get out and be creative. It's a great job and we want everyone to know we're hiring.
“As we look around at trade schools training the next generation of tradesmen, from plumbers to electricians to contractors, we don't seem to see it in our profession. So we created it .
“We pay you to learn how to do this job. We walk you through different types of jobs so you can experience them all, find the one you like and pursue it. Please. These jobs are in high demand, so if you're looking for a job, we have it.”
Koenig said the team is already nearly sold out for 2024, considering the current staff.
He spoke proudly about the program at North Ridgeville High School. The program provides students with paid apprenticeships that allow them to learn various aspects of the landscaping industry, including planting, landscaping, gardening and irrigation.
However, unlike most traditional landscaping companies, Lifestyle Landscaping staff does more than just mow your lawn.
In fact, Koenig says he no longer even pursues standalone lawn mowing contracts.
Instead, his model provides homeowners with a complete grounds maintenance service that encompasses keeping the entire property in perfect condition at all times.
Our full maintenance model allows Koenig's staff to work on your home and take care of your lawn, garden, landscape beds, and anything else on your property that needs attention.
“We want our clients to always be in good shape,” he explained. “From spring prep to fall clean-up and everything in between, we do everything outdoors except for painting and roofing. And we know we're not right for everyone. I know.
“We're not a low-cost provider. We're a high-value provider.”
However, one thing Koenig has not been able to address is the overall shortage and rising prices of plants, trees, and shrubs, which has made less mature trees and shrubs available for new installations. He said that
He explained that the childcare business still has not fully recovered from the coronavirus pandemic.
sustainable garden
Koenig said another change in the industry he's seeing is that many homeowners are switching to more sustainable gardens, low-maintenance prairie gardens and food-producing gardens.
“As more and more people want to grow their own food, we are seeing more fruit trees and gardens being planted and incorporated into the landscape rather than ornamental,” he explained. “We incorporated tomato plants into the beds, people marveled at the beauty, and then realized they were covered in tomatoes.
“The same goes for substituting hostas for rhubarb or incorporating horseradish. And the days of manicured front lawns are starting to give way to more natural, prairie-like landscapes. think.
“It's very popular. There's less mowing, more native plants, and it's much easier to care for. People now want to be able to eat in their gardens.”
Lifestyle Landscapes will work with homeowners in the area who are ready to replace or expand their existing gardens, Koenig said.
He said the company offers full-service design and can turn those designs into reality.
According to Koenig, homeowners work with a team of experts who can ensure performance and beauty for years to come, not only in design and construction expertise, but also in the proper selection and placement of plants. It is said that it is possible.
cost?
“Simply put, it depends,” Koenig said. “Project costs can vary from a few thousand dollars to well over $500,000. The best solution is to call us.
“We will come to your site to discuss options and solutions that are in the best interest of you and your family. The good news is that no matter what,
Even if you have a limited budget, we can develop creative and realistic landscaping solutions that fit within your budget. And many people just make a master plan and implement it step by step. ”
For more information about the company and its awards, visit lifestylelandscaping.com/.
