We caught up with the brilliant and insightful David Perdue a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

David, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I first started working for a lawn care company in the summer of 2017.  School had started back up in August of 2017 and I still had bills to pay so I started raking leaves in the fall of 2017 after class and on the weekends. This quickly become a side hustle and gained momentum very quickly. I raked and bagged leaves during fall and then starting mulching in the spring of 2018. I started out next summer of 2018 working at that company, but I decided to go part time and work for myself on my off days. In July of 2018 I decided to leave that company and focus on my side hustle until school start back in August of 2018. Once I graduated from Houston High School in spring of 2019, I went into this business full time.

I have always harbored an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for leading people. My grandfather was a serial entrepreneur. He built and sold seven companies during his time in business.  I think I got my entrepreneurial spirit from my him. Good grades in school were always a struggle and I didn’t go to college. When I graduated, I was a ready dive off into this business and start making money with it right away. I knew that If I could figure out sales and leadership, that there would be endless opportunity for me out there.  I took the leap and officially registered my business during my senior year of high school. I sought guidance from mentors, educators, and industry professionals who graciously shared their wisdom and experience, which enabled me to develop a roadmap for success.

Utilizing my resources, such as networking events, peer groups, and entrepreneurial programs, I further honed my skills and expanded my knowledge base. I attend workshops, trade shows, leadership development programs, and participated in extracurricular activities related to business and entrepreneurship, which provided invaluable opportunities for growth and development.

Establishing my online presence through a website and social media accounts allowed me to reach a wide audience, connecting with potential customers locally and beyond. I diligently marketed my products/services, built customer relationships, and ensured exceptional quality, always striving to exceed customer expectations.

While juggling my studies and co-curricular activities, I continuously refined my entrepreneurial skills and expanded my business offerings. As my reputation grew, I began receiving recognition and exposure within my community. This increased exposure provided additional opportunities for collaboration and expansion, ultimately contributing to the success and sustainability of my business.

Fast forward to today, Greenview Landscape Services has grown into a thriving enterprise with a strong presence in the Memphis area. We have expanded our service line, diversified our customer base, and consistently ranked as one of the top players in the industry. Through perseverance, dedication, and a willingness to adapt, I have transformed my passion into a profitable business that not only supports me but also provides employment opportunities for other members of the community.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

At a very early age I was forced to be independent and start working. My parents went through a divorce when I was 14 and I had to step up to the plate and provide for myself at a young age. I took my first job at 14 working at Bikes Plus a local bike shop and would ride my bike to and from work. That season of life really formed me for who I am today and taught me what a strong work ethic can do. My mom and grandfather have always been 2 role models in my life. that have taught me to work hard and to do the right thing even when it’s hard.

After working at the bike shop for 1.5 years I started a car detailing business where I would go to client’s offices and houses while they’re at work and detail their cars. In the summer up 2017 I found myself sitting around with extra time in the week to make money and my detailing business was not a full occupation, so I went and applied at Southern Outdoor Services, a local lawn care company. Southern outdoor service is how I got into the industry I am in today and I will forever be grateful to Justin at SOS for hiring me in 2017.

I formally started Greenview in 2019 and had 2 guys running a truck while I was in class during my senior year. That was a very stressful point in my business. Fast forward to today, we employee approximately 14 people. Our company services residential and commercial landscape install and lawn care. Our leadership team has built an aggressive 3-year growth strategy and I could not be any more excited about the future of the company.

Our construction division performs services such as building retaining walls, drainage systems, sod installation, plant install, outdoor kitchen, landscape design, and hardscape. Our maintenance division focuses on full-service programs for properties that includes mowing, irrigation, spray, leaf cleanup, mulch, and shrub pruning. I started Nightview Landscape Lighting, a sister company to Greenview that specializes in landscape lighting. Nightview was created in 2021.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Yes, continuing education has been a catalyst for my growth. I strongly believe that you cannot deliver what you have not yet developed. The books I have been reading revolve around finances and leadership development right now.

Traction is a book that challenged me with our strategic planning in my business so that everyone in the organizations knows where the company is headed and how we are going to get there. Traction also helped us create our core values. Core values are what we now hire, fire, and promote by. Core values are the rudder to the decisions we make. Profit First helped me get a grasp on managing the finances. When a business starts to have significant amounts of cash come in and go out you must have a place for every dollar to go. It helped me prepare for taxes each year, what to put into our “profit” account for growth, it helped us create a system to separate deposits from earned income. 25 Ways to Win with People by John C. Maxwell is a great book to develop yourself as a leader. I have read this book several times and I always have new takeaways. Simple Numbers, Straight Talk, and Big Profits helped me view our P&L through a completely new perspective. The book also created a lot of financial literacy for me that has been extremely helpful to make sure we run a profitable business.

Traction by Gino Wickman
Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
25 ways to win with people by John C. Maxwell
Simple Numbers, Straight Talk, Big Profits by Greg Crabtree

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

In today’s fiercely competitive industry, cultivating a loyal customer base is paramount to our success. Based on our experience, we have found that incorporating a customer-centric approach, coupled with effective digital marketing techniques and word of mouth has proven to be our most fruitful strategy.

First and foremost, we shifted our focus to understanding our target audience on a deeper level. By conducting comprehensive market research, analyzing customer behaviors, and collecting feedback, we were able to gain invaluable insights into their needs, preferences, and pain points. Armed with this information, we developed tailored services that directly catered to our customers’ needs.

In addition, we recognized the importance of building meaningful relationships with our clients. We work tirelessly to ensure that each interaction is personalized, delightful, and exceeds expectations. By listening attentively to our customers, promptly addressing concerns, and going above and beyond to meet their needs, we have fostered a sense of trust, loyalty, and satisfaction.

Furthermore, leveraging the power of digital marketing channels played a pivotal role in our success. Through a combination of search engine optimization (SEO), social media engagement, content marketing, and targeted online advertising, we were able to significantly increase our online visibility and attract a larger audience. By consistently delivering engaging and informative content, we positioned ourselves as industry thought leaders, constantly staying top of mind with existing and potential clients.

Another crucial aspect of our strategy was nurturing strategic partnerships and collaborations. By forming alliances with complementary businesses in our industry, we were able to tap into each other’s networks, cross-promote services, and broaden our reach. These collaborations not only expanded our customer base but also provided added value and convenience to our clients.

To measure the effectiveness of our approach, we implemented robust analytics and tracking mechanisms. By closely analyzing key performance indicators (KPIs), conducting regular market research, and monitoring customer satisfaction scores, we can continuously refine our strategies and performance.

In conclusion, our most effective strategy for growing clientele has been a combination of adopting a customer-centric focus, implementing effective digital marketing techniques, fostering meaningful relationships, and leveraging partnerships. By consistently striving to understand our customers’ evolving needs and delivering exceptional experiences, we have witnessed a substantial increase in client acquisition and retention.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.GreenviewLandscapeServices.com
• Instagram: GreenviewLandscapeServices
• Facebook: Greenview Landscape Services