I am a Landscape Professional: Miles Kuperus Jr

Miles Kuperus, Jr.,

Farmside Landscape & Design

By Jill Odom

MILE KUPERUS, JR., PRESIDENT

of Farmside Landscape & Design, based in Wantage, New Jersey, originally got into the landscaping business around 1985-1986. Born and raised as a dairy farmer, Kuperus says there was a natural migration from farming to the landscape industry. He says his background is also where the name of his company comes from.

“I just had a desire to make things look good, and loved the feeling of working with the earth,” Kuperus says. “It was just a love of the results you get and appreciating plants and creating those wonderful spaces.”

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST BUSINESS CHALLENGE TODAY?

The biggest challenge right now is dealing with the uncertainty. The virus is, no question, a huge challenge for us. Not knowing what size crews are allowed, if we even have the right to work, because construction in New Jersey got shut down. And then also making sure that we’re doing right in the community, so we don’t get ourselves exposed to social shaming. We don’t want to be part of that. We want to show professionalism. We want to show we’re doing right within the community.

Those are the biggest challenges that we have and then you’ve got your typical things that always loom over us that didn’t go away, such as your labor base, developing and building the team and also your regulations that exist over your company. Those would be the real challenges that we face, but in there lies opportunity too.

WHAT BUSINESS WORRY KEEPS YOU UP MOST AT NIGHT?

I think now, again, the biggest thing that we’re worried about is if we do the

work will we be paid from our clients. Even if they’re quality clients with these unfounded circumstances, will we be able to make our financial obligations if they can’t pay.

Also, the safety and well-being of our staff, that’s what’s keeping us up at night, making sure that we’re not putting our folks in harm’s way. It’s a different dynamic question. If you asked us two months ago, I’d probably have different answer. But what keeps me up at night is making sure I’m making good decisions that have everybody’s best interest at heart and I’m not being selfish and trying to drive for the wrong reasons.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE A LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONAL?

I would say to be a landscape professional, it means you’ve acquired a skill and you have an incredible knowledge base of what you’re doing and you’re doing it to the best skill sets and practices that are available to us as an industry. You’re being professional. You’re a person that’s focused on safety. You’re a person that has good insights, whether it’s business or the landscape horticulture aspect.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE AN NALP MEMBER?

Being an NALP member, I would say that’s a group of people who are best in class, recognized nationally and it’s a group that you enjoy sharing and networking to develop best practices. surrounded with great suppliers.

IN FIVE YEARS, WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR BUSINESS GOING?

Jumping past post-virus, I think we’re going to have a new tomorrow. I think

FAST FACTS

Business mentors: “There have been many great mentors: Frank Mariani, Bob Grover, Landon Reeve, to name a few.”

Proudest moment in business: “Watching and developing leaders within our company.”

Favorite business book: “The Bible. It just does truly give you value, making sure that all your core principles are aligned.”

that that’s a difficult question for me to answer from that aspect. I don’t know what the outcome of the virus will be. I would say both pre-virus and post-virus, autonomous and quiet equipment and using technology in order to conduct our businesses will very much be a part of who we are as an industry. I would say that you’re going to be into higher tech business solutions, and we’ll be in that space. We’re going to continue to be very heavily involved with outdoor living spaces and creating new spaces for social gatherings.

IN FIVE YEARS, WHERE WILL YOU BE AS A BUSINESS OWNER?

My hope is that I’ll continue to be less of an owner and more of a coach. I want to make sure that we’re laying foundation. That’s something that I don’t see where we are today changes that dynamic at all. I would say I want to continue to be more of a coach and make sure I develop a team that could be self-sustaining without me being the driver. TLP

PROFITABILITY, PERFORMANCE AND VERSATILITY.

One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to commercial sprayers and spreaders, that’s why Z Turf Equipment offers a complete line of Z-Spray ® units to meet your specific needs. With the ability to apply granular and liquid materials simultaneously or separately, these versatile machines are the ultimate resource for your business during your busiest time of the year. These durable Z-Spray spreader sprayers feature powerful commercial engines and high-grade, corrosive-resistant, stainless-steel components, ensuring your equipment will endure many seasons to come. Z Turf Equipment is part of the Exmark ® family of products and is built with the durability and reliability you’ve come to expect. It’s time to see how the Z-Spray line-up can be a wise investment for your business.