Do Right Services

2036 W. Walnut

Chicago, IL 60612 (312) 731-3742 dorightservices.com

by Meta L. Levin

WhenDo Right

Services sent its landscaping crew to ILCA’s annual Pruning Workshop, it underscored that the decision to join the association had been the right one. “We loved it,” says Julian Posada, President and CEO of Lift Up Enterprises, the umbrella organization for Do Right Services.

Posada points to the training and educational opportunities, as well as the chance to show these employees that they are a part of a much bigger industry, as driving factors in joining ILCA in 2019. “We have found this to be a warm and welcoming industry,” he says.

In many ways Do Right Services is just like any other commercial landscape company. Run by Victor Estrada, the landscape Director of Operations and an industry professional with years of experience, the landscape company offers landscape design/build; hardscape design/build; turf management; hydroseeding; tree planting, trimming and removal; weed control; fence and deck repairs; seasonal clean-up and snow management.

And in some important ways, it is unique. It is part of a larger Do Right Services organization that also has compa nies providing commercial cleaning, pest management, painting and vehicle wraps.

Lift Up Enterprises, the umbrella organization, “is committed to creating jobs and providing wrap around services to help our hourly workers with stability,” says Posada. “As a for profit social enterprise, it was built to accelerate the stability and mobility of its workers.”

In addition to weekly pay, company sponsored loans and a health care stipend, employees are asked to meet with a financial wellness counselor during orientation, to help them with their financial objectives or challenges. The company provides them with a 401K match and starts a 529 fund for their children. “A key factor for getting ahead is getting a handle on their finances,” Posada says.

Do Right Services began in 2018 with a cleaning service and started the landscape company in the spring of 2019. Estrada came on immediately, and “is the glue that holds it together,” says Posada. “He is the person who keeps the machine moving. His dedication and work ethic are unparalleled.”

Initially, the landscape portion of the company had three employees. Now there are three full time crews and, says Posada, “growing.” So far, they have chosen to stay with Do Right Services, as opposed to moving on to other employers once they are trained.

The Do Right Services Landscape Company’s first customers came through Estrada, who asked a previous employer about opportunities for subcontracting. From there they garnered new clients through word of mouth. “We pride ourselves in our emphasis on customer service,” says Posada. “If we say we are going to do something, we do it.”

Posada describes himself as a serial entrepreneur who has civic responsibility in his DNA. He has had a varied career. With a BS degree in Food Systems, Economics and Management from Michigan State University and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, he has worked in everything from media to sports and banking.

Posada was COO of The Resurrection Project in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. Prior to that he was executive vice president of marketing and strategy for Wrapports LLC/Sun Times Media; president of the Chicago Fire Soccer Club; founder and general manager of Hoy, a Chicago Tribune owned daily Spanish language newspaper and has held senior level positions at Citibank in Colombia, South America. He currently serves on the board of the Better Business Bureau, Chicago Public Media and HOPE Chicago, in addition to others.

A native of East Lansing, MI, he has lived in the Chicago area most of his life.

Posada is proud of the way Do Right Services’ Landscape Company has grown. “Most of our customers expect great service, price and quality work first,” he says. “Our social mission is a bonus. They just want to know if we will get the job done right and do it on time. Only later do we say, by the way, we treat our people well.”