🌱 Every year it happens.

The flowers bloom.
The grass wakes up.
The trees start stretching toward the sky like they’ve been waiting all winter to get back to work.

And right about the time Easter rolls around… something else shows up too.

Opportunity. Not a little bit either. A tidal wave of it.

Phones ringing. Estimates stacking up. Customers calling saying, “Can you get here this week?”

And every seasoned landscaper reading this already knows the truth:

When you have a good reputation, there’s always more work than there are people to do it.

How about equipment? Do you have what you need?

Shoot, most of us could go out and buy another mower, another truck, another trailer before lunch today if we really wanted to.

But that ain’t the problem.

The problem is—and always has been—

You’ve got to have PEOPLE to run it… and PEOPLE to manage it.

And brother… That’s where the real work begins.

A Lesson from Truett Cathy

Let me tell you a story that’s stuck with me for years. It’s one of those “hero” stories.

I had the chance to tour the headquarters of Chick-fil-A just outside Atlanta, Georgia. Now if you’ve ever studied great businesses, you might know that Truett Cathy didn’t build that “Eat Mor Chikin” empire by accident.

He built it by understanding people.

On that tour, I noticed something simple—but powerful.

There was a standing table in the campus restaurant set up with pens, note cards, and envelopes.

So I asked the guide, “What’s this for?”

And I’ll never forget the answer.

They said Truett Cathy believed the heart and soul of his entire operation rested in the hands of the operators—the folks running those restaurants day in and day out.

He knew how hard that job was… because he had done it himself.

So he made it a priority to encourage them.

Now here’s the part that’ll stick with you…A young employee once asked: “How do we know who to write notes to?”

And Truett’s answer was simple:

“If they’re breathing… they need encouragement.” Let that sink in.

Yep…Truett Cathy is a hero to me for sharing his wisdom.

Your Job This Spring Isn’t Just Work… It’s Leadership

As you head into this busy season, I want you to remember something most folks forget when things get hectic.

You’re not just:

• Running routes
• Managing schedules
• Fixing equipment
• Handling customers

You are the CEO.

And in this busy Spring season…That stands for Chief Encouragement Officer.

Because your people are about to feel it.

Long days. Hot afternoons. Equipment breaking at the worst possible time. Customers calling when you’re already slammed.

Pressure builds quick in the spring.

And when pressure builds…Encouragement becomes fuel.

Encouragement Is a Tool—Use It Daily

You wouldn’t send a crew out without a trimmer or a blower.

So don’t send them out without encouragement either.

It don’t have to be complicated.

• A quick “I appreciate you showing up today.”
• A handwritten note in a paycheck (my personal favorite)
• A simple “Y’all did a great job on that property”
• A phone call to a crew leader just to check in
• Share the news of the Google review just to keep things positive

These small moments?

They build loyalty. They build culture. They build a team that sticks when things get tough.

And let me tell you something…Good people don’t just work for money. They work for leaders who see them.

This Applies Beyond Your Crew

This ain’t just about your employees either.

Encouragement works everywhere:

• Your vendors
• Your suppliers
• Your customers
• Your family

This business is built on relationships.

And relationships grow when people feel valued.

Final Thought for the Season Ahead

Spring is here. The work is coming. The pressure is real.

But so is the opportunity.

So as you step into this season, remember this:

If they’re breathing… They need encouragement.
And if you’re leading… it’s your job to give it.

Stand tall, lead strong, and take care of your people.

Because when your team feels encouraged…

Production goes up…
Problems go down…
And your business gets stronger!

Now let’s get after it. The grass is growing… and so can you!

Tony Bass, founder

PS –  we know you owners need encouragement, too! Lots of it .. and often! You are a very special person in our economy today… did you know there’s less than a 2% chance you’ll run into a business owner with employees on the streets of America?? You are a job creator, a lifestyle maintainer, an opportunity builder!

If you haven’t sat down lately to give yourself a pat on the back, go ahead and do it right now! 

We’d also like to encourage you to give yourself a BOOST through knowing your numbers and being confident that you are charging the right price for all of your maintenance accounts! Just grab the Double Profits Guidebook. You can order online here and get your numbers fixed in just a few hours!