VOL. 26 People Are Brought Together

VOL . 26 PEOPLE TOGETHER AND DIVERSE n a world where there are barriers and walls that divide people, it is encouraging to see times when the “walls are torn down” and CONTENTS VOL. 26 people are brought together. Sometimes even a machine, a company and a shared interest Ibrings people together. I have enjoyed watching the example set by Harley-Davidson where the simple act of owning a Harley breaks down barriers. It doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor, blue collar or white collar, long hair or no hair, black or white, tall or short, man or woman, if you drive a Harley you are “in” the Harley family. On a much smaller scale, we have been pleased to see the Walker Mower bring people together. It has been exciting to see the camaraderie of 3 Managing your success Walker owners when they Flowers are Flo Olson's calling card. get together. Quite a few times I have witnessed contractor “competitors” 6 ‘No’ is not in their vocabulary who compete with each Mark Chaffin, owner of Earthworks, Inc., other in the local market, grew with quality work and never saying no. at a dealership or local landscape event having a 9 Bob T's tech talk good time together, laugh- ing and swapping stories, with this in common; they are Walker owners. 10 Doing it Rite the first time And yet while bringing people together, there is a tremendous variety among Walker owners... Stott brothers Mark and Kevin aren’t bashful all kinds of people, and their uniqueness is to be about making the point that its “Dun-Rite, the enjoyed and celebrated. In thinking of the people first time.” and companies we have featured in previous issues of Walker Talk, it is fair criticism to suggest more 13 Young entrepreneur a quick study variety in our stories. From time to time I have Twenty-year-old Jason Fawcett is an owner of a had a note or call saying why don’t you do a Walker very successful lawn maintenance company and a Talk story about somebody like me? full-time fire fighter. Starting with this issue, we want to do a bet- ter job in showing the variety of Walker owners Common sense marketing and operators. While a primary focus in earlier 16 issues was geographic diversity, upcoming issues It doesn't have to cost a bundle to sell your wares. will try to show the interesting and wonderful group that are Walker Mower users. We will try 18 Walker news/products to tell the stories of small business and big business; young people and old people; men in business and women in business; able-bodied people 20 The Silent Partner and physically limited people; private owners and corporate owners; full timer and dual careerer; all WALKER TALK is published by Cygnus Business Media interwoven with the rich individuality that God 1233 Janesville Avenue, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538. Phone (920) 563-6388. Printed in the U.S., copyright 2005 has created in each of us. Canada Post International Publications Mail Product. Sales Agreement No. 1248022 Bob Walker 2 WALKER TALK President Bloomin’ Flowers and Grass owner Flo Olson started out installing flowers. Now she has six Walkers that help put an exclamation point on her mowing, too. the company calls on retired friends Then, she talks about cleaning flower and former employees for help. In beds with string trimmers, spraying between, though, it’s “lean and mean” Roundup around trees, and taking and full speed ahead. There’s no time few if any breaks during the day. for the gym, but lifting power shears, Having lots of good equipment is fertilizer bags and mower decks play a important, she emphasizes, noting role in keeping them fit. that when it comes down to invest- “We always work very hard, but ing in equipment or people, equip- manage to have fun, too,” says Olson. ment gets the nod. “If I had to single out one of our The owner isn’t exaggerating. strengths, it would be that we are B.F.G. purchased two new trucks this extremely organized and efficient.” spring, and Olson and Green are the ast year, Flo Olson tallied up In fact, she and Green have each only full-time Walker operators for six the number of lawn main- property’s routine down to a science machines. The mower excess is easy to tenance contractors work- and can almost read one another’s explain, since the company purchased ing in and around the resort mind. “Scary thought,” says the affable them when it was growing and doesn’t community of Kalispell, Montana. By Olson. Seriously, though, the duo gets want to give any up. The extra mow- Lher best reckoning, there were 50 con- as much work done as companies with ers mean Bloomin’ Flo always has a tractors. She added another 30 to her more employees. It wasn’t always that spare on hand and can take on added list this year, for a total of at least 80 work at a moment’s notice. Instead of companies, big and small, all compet- changing decks, she also has the luxury ing for a piece of the mowing/mainte- of simply changing mowers. nance market. Even though the owner “If we have a gender The company has one 25-hp, two of Bloomin’ Flowers and Grass Inc. competitive advantage at 20-hp, and three 26-hp Walkers, (B.F.G.) in nearby Somers operates all, it comes from having with several deck types. The 42-inch six Walker Mowers, having a Walker GHS decks shoulder most of the isn’t a competitive advantage anymore, an eye for detail and being mowing responsibilities, and wider she laments, noting that, “It must be easier on equipment.” decks are for field mowing and plant- a status symbol in Flathead County ing flowers. Planting flowers? “That’s because there is a Walker being towed right,” says Olson. “Mowers equipped behind almost every pickup.” way. There was a time when B.F.G. with big decks are ideal for hauling So how does B.F.G., a company that employed eight people and serviced all 600 flats to installation sites, and the has been in business eight years, com- different type properties. Specializing hoppers are also great for hauling the pete? For starters, the owner provides a in estates and commercial properties fertilizer when spreading.” service that few other area companies has sharpened its competitive edge by can; as the company name implies, no lowering fuel consumption and reduc- JACQUELINE OF ALL TRADES one puts the “bloom” on a property ing drive time. Fewer employees mean Ten years ago, the thought of like Flo does. “Yes, that’s really how less repairs, less training, and higher becoming a lawn maintenance I got started,” says Olson, referring to profit margins. contractor was the furthest her natural ability to design and install When asked to describe some thing from Olson’s mind. flower beds. Combine that service with of her efficiencies, Olson smiles At 52, she had worked a commitment to deliver quality and a and says, “You want me to give at a variety of jobs keen sense for what makes a property away my trade secrets.” look nice and you have the ingredients for a successful operation. MORE WITH LESS Olson and key employee Jawana Green maintain 30 prime commercial properties and large estates. In addition to installing flowers, the team mows, prunes and applies fertilizer and weed control. During the busy planting season, 4 WALKER TALK and thought it may be time to retire. the business at a manageable level so It’s my biggest stress releaser.” “I’ve always liked to work but regard- she can do the work instead of hav- She says she is fortunate and grate- less of type I would soon get bored,” ing to manage people. ful to have reliable employees to call says Olson. An employment agent Bloomin' Flo’s reputation for pro- whenever she needs help, and credits who knew of Flo’s extensive gar- viding landscape maintenance now most of her success to 7-year employ- dens at home sent her to TLC, Neil rivals her reputation with flowers. ee Green. Jawana is my ‘right arm Deering’s Co. (Walker Talk No. 8) as Colorful, well-maintained proper- and left brain,’ ” Olson emphasizes. a flowerbed person. Once there, she ties are her primary marketing tools, Bloomin’ Flo also would be remiss to discovered the work she truly loved. along with neat and clean equipment leave her husband Ray out of the mix. After working a year with TLC, she and a professional demeanor. The “Ray works for the county, but in his was hired as head of grounds for an company is involved with indus- spare time – when not flying in his bi- area corporation. Caught in a com- try groups, and Olson stays current plane – he is our head mechanic, too,” pany-wide layoff, she then did what with training, licenses and insurance. says Olson. “He keeps our equipment came naturally — started installing flower beds on her own. “Now, I’m never bored with my job,” says Bloomin’ Flo. “It calls for such a wide range of skills.” Everything fell into place rather quickly. After a flower installation customer asked Bloomin’ Flo to do some mowing, she drove directly to the local Walker dealer. “I never even considered another mower,” Olson explains, “So scared, I was literally shaking when I went to the bank to borrow $10,000 – thinking I’d tackle getting my husband’s signature later.

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