In 2008, Matt Keever was searching for a new direction for his future and had prayed regularly for a door to open. He had hired Brad Lane of Lane Lawn and Landscape to mow his yard, and soon after, Brad decided to take a different career path and offered to sell his business to Matt. “It was just Brad’s one employee and me mowing lawns to start with. We took pride in our work, and that is something that has helped us along the way. Today, we have 10 crews with five that are dedicated to mowing and make about 1,100 stops. Our mowers really have to be qualified, and we believe there is an art to it,” Matt explained.
The company has grown significantly, much of it internally, but also through acquisition. Matt continued, “After Lane, we purchased Lone Star from Alan Eddins, Cutting Edge from Chris Ludwig, Turf-Scapes in Waxahachie from Judy Foster, All Seasons Landscape Design from Sam Westlake, Four Seasons Lawn Care from Brian Zhanel and Tru Landscaping and Lawn Care from Aaron McGinley. I am very happy to say that Sam, Brian and Aaron continue to work here as valuable employees. They all brought unique talents with them and help make us the company that we are today.”
Matt mentioned that they easily have over 150 years’ combined landscape management experience. “We emphasize that we are a team, and the strength of the team is in the individual, and the strength of the individual is the team. The prior business owners are great at what they do, and becoming part of Mow Pro’s allows them to do what they do best and leave things such as human resources and administration up to us. It is the idea that iron sharpens iron, and because of it, we have a vast knowledge base.”
With the growth in their business comes the need for more employees. The company has 40 employees today, and realistically could be at 65 if the right people would apply. “The work is here, and we are hiring,” Matt emphasized.
Mow Pro’s had four mowing crews before they ventured into the landscape and design arena, and now have a total of 20 trucks moving daily. Matt admitted there was a lot to learn. “We really could not have done it without the help we received from local nurseries. They were so helpful, teaching me about different types of plants. I also watched a lot of YouTube videos and read a lot of books,” Matt offered. “Today, Laney Green does all of our designs. The landscape part of the business is so enjoyable. I really love the ‘before and after’ of a landscape project.”
Matt has two of his sons working in the business when they are not in school, and he mentioned what an asset his wife, Jessica, is to him and his business. “No man succeeds without a good woman behind him,” he said. “I know she constantly prays for us.”
Matt said his office manager, Christine Maier, keeps all the other managers in line. He also emphasized that Emmanuel Valles has been with him since 2009 and is his labor operations manager, in charge of all the field employees.
As he continued to mention the teamwork that his company stresses, Matt said, “We are allies with everyone in the industry. We had a spring kickoff in February and invited all the landscape companies to the new building for a barbecue. We lean on each other for knowledge and assistance. We try very hard to respect one another in our business and give the best possible service to our customers.”
Mow Pro’s Landscape, Design, Trees, & Irrigation
9010 FM 1181
Ennis, TX 75119
(972) 875-7767
Fax: (972) 875-2047
www.mowprostx.com
[email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/mow.pros.5
Hours:
Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m.-noon
Written by Bill Smith
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