Spring Events 2023 —

a division of 40 staff and handles 200 accounts in DuPage.

As a young business owner, Rossa advised, “You won’t know everything so the key is surrounding yourself with good people. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Be open and honest and surround yourself with like-minded people.”

A good mentor is also essential whether it’s someone in your company or outside. For Eischeid, Roy Diblik and Piet Oudolf became his mentors. “I’d heard Roy do a presentation and then I called Piet who took me under his wing. Piet jokes that I wouldn’t stop following him so he had to take me on.” Those relationships have led to many incredible opportunities. Eischeid told attendees not to be shy. “Put yourself out there. Networking is important.”

For King, finding a coworker with a horticulture background was essential. “I learned the terminology and what to say to clients through him. And, I’ve known some of our foremen since I was five years old and now I’m their manager. It’s all about respect. I ask them how they would do something and then put it into a Venn diagram to see what would work best.”

Landscape designer Elaina Blankenhagen of Plandscape, Inc., in Elburn, joined the YP Committee last year. “I just love all the events and it’s really nice because I don’t work with anyone my age.” Autumn Conn of Joe Cotton Ford also serves on the committee. “This is such a great group of people with bright ideas. It’s nice to be able to hear how others overcome their issues.”

One challenge Rossa shared is the incredible growth his company has faced in the last three years, which includes the acquisition of another landscape firm. “There’s no time to stop and reassess—to evaluate. We need to take a good look—do I have the right people in the right spots? A lot of people call me the bulldozer because we put a plan in place and it changes two weeks later, so I need to stop and take a breath.”

Kayli Baumhover of Bartlett Tree Experts in Bolingbrook joined the YP Committee last year. “I wanted to get more involved with ILCA. We need more people my age involved with ILCA.” Amanda Bryant, associate account manager at Sebert Landscape, attended with the goal of learning more alongside her peers. “I want to be a sponge and continue learning as much as I can with the industry to improve my career.” For Daniel Soriano, a yard foreman at Lurvey’s in Des Plaines, it was his first time attending “My HR department suggested it and I’m here for the experience. It was really good.” It was the fourth time participating for coworker Benjamin DeSalvo, a woody plant specialist. “It’s always really enjoyable to talk to everyone at these events.”

Looking for more opportunities to get involved with ILCA? See upcoming events: https://ilca.net/ilca-events/

Insights from the Panelists

• Forge Connections. “I remember every client I meet and their kids’ names and events and will mention them in our discussions,” King said. “It’s the ability to make those connections” that results in success.

• Show Your Passion. “I’ve always been obsessed with plants,” Eischeid said. “My excitement is infectious so people gravitate toward it. I want to make people love gardens.”

• Be Curious. “I was 11 years old buying my first backpack blower,” Rossa said. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions. There are no stupid questions and if you don’t ask it holds you back.”

• Shrug Off Negativity. “I went to the Independent Garden Center show one year and was turned off by all the negative energy at a table discussion,” Eischeid said. “They were saying, ‘Get out now, you’re never going to make any money in this business.’”

• Cultivate Credibility. “When I was 16 it was difficult to sell a patio,” Rossa said. “Homeowners looked at me as someone who just mowed lawns, but the more I delivered, the more credibility I got and the more leads came in.”

• Expand Your Universe. “I had student loans but made it my priority to pay for my experiences abroad,” Eischeid said.