Mini Interviews

Mini Interviews

Carlos Garcia, Director of Operations, Crabapple Landscape Experts

What inspired you to get into the industry?

The majority of my male family members have been in the industry since the ‘90s.

What’s the best part of your job?

Training and teaching the new generation, especially being bilingual in the southeast part of the country. I like to show the Spanishspeaking teams that they indeed have a voice and it’s OK to share their opinion.

What’s your favorite place you’ve ever visited?

I haven’t had an opportunity to travel the world yet, but the castle in Mexico City was amazing!

What would you blow your money on?

My dream has been to start an organization where we can help elderly or sick homeowners landscape their homes. Lots of people can’t maintenance their home, and I would like to provide cleanups at no charge.

MiniWhat advice would you give to someone entering the green industry?

It can be tough in the beginning, but don’t give up. After some time, it will be second nature. The industry needs leaders, and anyone can have the opportunity by working hard.

Jeremiah Jennings, Owner of Growing Green Landscapes

What inspired you to get into the industry?

I had a good work ethic and didn’t know exactly what I wanted to pursue with my life. I worked in my business for three years before purchasing it from my boss. Now, I’m thankful I have the opportunity to create my own future with both income and lifestyle.

What’s the best part of your job?

Creating my own schedule and helping clients’ dreams come to reality in their landscape.

What advice would you give to someone entering the green industry?

Raise your prices.

What’s the one thing that would make the industry better?

More unity, not so many people trying to underbid and look at each other as competition.

Who do you most admire in the industry?

Mike Andes

What’s the key to great design?

Constant communication about what the client wants!

What are you most proud of?

Growing my business and providing for family, while also helping other business owners.

Paul Jamison, Host of Green Industry Podcast

What inspired you to get into the industry?

I got into the lawn and landscape industry in 2011 out of a desperate need to make some money. I started mowing lawns and eventually added landscape enhancements to my toolbelt. Over time, I fell in love with providing these services.

What’s the best part of your job?

The best part of my job as host of the Green Industry Podcast is seeing small business owners take their businesses to the next level.

What’s the one thing that would make the industry better?

If business owners charged higher prices, it would make the industry better. A lot of new landscape companies don’t truly understand the overhead it costs to run a profitable business and their prices are too low, creating a negative ripple effect industry-wide.

What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of my podcast, the Green Industry Podcast. We have over 870 episodes, and the information we have shared throughout the years on the show has helped a lot of business owners grow their profits and better their relationships and lives.

Angelique Robb, Managing Director of SYNKD

What inspired you to get into the industry?

Loving construction and design, I realized that I had great ideas to improve or modify outdoor spaces to solve problems. I love that this industry is the bridge between the built environment and nature and want to encourage more people to spend time outside in beautifully designed spaces.

What’s the best part of your job?

Always learning about better ways of construction and staying on top of the newest products and services.

What’s the one thing that would make the industry better?

More connection between the landscape architects, designers, specifiers, landscape construction, horticulture and landscape management. I do see lots of progress toward this and I get really excited to see how we can all contribute to build the future of our industry.

What is your favorite karaoke song?

“Me and Bobby McGee” by Janis Joplin

What’s your favorite place you’ve ever visited?

Vietnam. It has a great mix of chaotic cities with beautiful countryside and amazing people.