On Thursday, I had the opportunity to visit one of our newest facilities and congratulate two of our team members on the success of our launch into this market. Cory G. and Ronald S. have been with us for 6 and 5 months each, respectively. They’ve grown as a team under the leadership of Cameron P. and I believe in their abilities as a team. They sought out the facility and have taken initiative to make this happen. It has reduced their own commutes, saved the company windshield time, and allowed us to continue our coastal expansions southward.
With Brady M. successfully driving sales and relocating to Myrtle Beach, this team will grow and create future opportunities for themselves and their cohorts. For me, seeing these teams excel is such a rewarding thing to witness. I can remember the conversation I had with Cameron almost 15 years ago about moving to Charlotte, almost like it was yesterday. I remember meeting Cory in Myrtle Beach six years ago when we started interviewing for management candidates in that market. I’ve watched Stephen develop from a novice crew leader to a highly experienced landscape professional with lots of upside ahead of him. Stopping by to see them yesterday was the highlight of my week-long journey up and down the eastern seaboard, from the Carolinas to Florida and back.
Some people will see this facility and dismiss it because of it small size and lack of infrastructure. Instead, I see a very cost-effective low overhead entry into another substantive market. Facilities mean different things at different stages of scale. As small company, we obsessed over our facilities and I never would’ve imagined that changing. Nowadays, however, I think about facilities as another tool in our toolbox. As our needs change, the tools change. Entering a new market, I would rather spend the money on talent versus rent. As we grow, and our needs change, we will revisit that concept, but this basic facility will get us to where we need to be in the near term.
Thank you, coastal Carolinas team! I am incredibly proud of all of you!
—Kurt