We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jared Lang. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jared below.
Jared, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?
Ever since I was a kid, I was obsessed with climbing trees. I had a personal motto even back then: ‘I will always find a way to the top.’ That mindset stuck with me through life.
As I got older, my dreams changed—from the military to the NBA—but one thing stayed the same: I wanted to own my own business. Watching my dad work for himself made a big impact on me.
It wasn’t until my late 20s that I discovered the world of arboriculture, and I instantly fell in love with it. After five years in the field, I finally took the leap and started my own tree and lawn care business.
The risk? It was huge. I worked extra jobs to save for equipment, faced long hours, constant learning curves, and physical exhaustion—all while trying to provide for my 5-year-old daughter. But I stayed committed to that motto from my childhood: ‘Find a way to the top.’ And today, I’m living the dream I worked so hard for.
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.
Meet Jared Lang, Owner of BLU-J Tree & Lawn Care LLC
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had a deep connection with trees. But it wasn’t until I came across a video online about how to properly prune a tree that my journey into arboriculture truly began. I was fascinated—not just by the technique, but by the fact that people could actually make a living climbing and caring for trees. That moment sparked something in me that hasn’t faded since.
Driven by curiosity, I reached out to a local arborist and asked for a job. I started at the bottom, hauling brush and working as a groundsman for three years. I soaked up everything I could—techniques, safety, equipment maintenance, tree biology—you name it. Life eventually pulled me away from the industry for a bit, but that passion never left. I realized I couldn’t ignore it any longer.
I left my steady job at Starbucks, gave up the safety net, and decided to chase this dream full-time. I wanted to take control of my future, learn how to manage my own money, and build something real—not just for myself, but for my daughter. That’s when BLU-J Tree & Lawn Care LLC was born.
Staying disciplined has been one of my biggest challenges, but I’ve learned how to turn my daily tasks into a lifestyle. I developed a weekly workout routine to stay in shape for the physical demands of the job. I learned how to maintain and service all my tools and equipment, how to save money, and how to grow through every lesson—big or small.
Our services range from planting new trees to removing hazardous ones and everything in between. One creative service we offer, especially during the slower winter months, is installing holiday lights on trees—adding a little seasonal joy to our customers’ homes.
We help solve all kinds of problems: diagnosing tree health issues, treating diseases, removing dangerous limbs hanging over structures, and more. But one of the things I’m most proud of—and what I think truly sets us apart—is how we connect with people. We don’t just offer a service; we listen to our customers’ stories, their concerns, and what their trees and property mean to them. That personal connection is important to us.
At BLU-J, we’re not just trying to grow a business—we’re trying to grow a community. Every job we do is another root in the network we’re building. We treat our work like a tree: solid foundation, strong limbs, and always reaching upward.
And through it all, I live by the same motto I had as a kid climbing trees:
“I will always find a way to the TOP.”
What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?
Yes, my side hustle has definitely become my full-time business—and it’s been one of the most rewarding and challenging journeys of my life.
It all started when I discovered arboriculture while researching how to properly prune a tree. That one search opened the door to a whole world I never knew existed. I quickly became hooked. I found a local arborist, asked for a job, and started working as a groundsman—hauling brush, learning the ropes, and falling deeper in love with the craft every day. Even though I wasn’t climbing trees yet, I was learning everything I could.
At the time, tree work wasn’t my main job. I was working other jobs, including at Starbucks, just to pay the bills. But even when life pulled me away from the industry for a short while, that passion never left me. Eventually, I couldn’t shake the calling, and I decided to bet on myself. I left my steady job and made the leap into turning my passion into my business.
I started BLU-J Tree & Lawn Care LLC with very little—just a few tools, some knowledge, and a drive to succeed. I worked extra hours at side jobs just to save up for better equipment. One of the biggest early milestones was getting my first major job under my own name—it gave me the confidence and proof that this could really work. Another big step was when I was able to build a small team and invest in reliable equipment, which allowed us to take on larger projects and serve more customers.
What helped me scale was consistency, word-of-mouth referrals, and staying committed to quality and connection. I’ve made it a point to listen to every customer and provide honest, dependable work—something people remember and appreciate.
Today, BLU-J offers a full range of tree and lawn services, from planting and pruning to full removals and even seasonal work like hanging Christmas lights in trees during the winter months. We’ve gone from side hustle to full-time operation, and we’re continuing to grow every day.
Through it all, I’ve stuck with my childhood motto:
“I will always find a way to the TOP.”
And that’s exactly what I plan to keep doing.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
In this industry—where the work is physically demanding and the heat can really wear people down—one of the best pieces of advice I can give is: don’t assume how others are feeling. Always lead with a good attitude and treat your team with respect, no matter how tough the day gets.
When it’s hot out or the job gets stressful, it’s easy for tempers to flare or communication to break down. That’s why I always remind myself—and my crew—that the number one goal is to make it home safely at the end of the day. Everything else comes second.
It’s also important to stay aware of how your team is doing. Check in regularly, encourage breaks, and learn each person’s limits. Everyone’s different—some may need more rest, others might push harder—but as a leader, it’s your job to know when to push and when to pull back.
At the end of the day, high morale comes from mutual respect, honest communication, and looking out for each other. When your crew knows you care about their well-being, they’ll go the extra mile for you—and they’ll feel proud to be part of something that values people over just productivity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://blujtreecare.com
- Instagram: @blujtreeandlawncarellc
- Facebook: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_header&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmNLMVZ0bjFreEl4WmRwaFlKNFpTVDlXMFlJUXxBQ3Jtc0tuOUl1RXBRSVlZdVVxREh3T2pINEhzM3hNLUVlY00wekcwSjEtd3M1NWxqVkllcVo2VTFVTXA4OHoyd3U0WnRmRjB0NmJZYjV0UTRLN3o5cUk2MDQtaWw1YkR2a2t2eDZEenFkR184V1Q3bW5PbzVjYw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1ACzqWxSgH%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@Blu-JTreeCare
Image Credits
Saddie Simmons