Clear Path to Prosperity

Dinkelman Landscaping has also maintained its proficiency in hardscaping and water features, which has paid huge dividends over the past couple of years. “We’ve come to the conclusion that, yeah the economy isn’t the greatest right now, but people are investing in their homes because they don’t want to blow money on a vacation,” Huston says.

“The stimulus money former president Bush sent out last year did help us with smaller jobs, and any job is a good job worth doing,” Watts adds. “We expect to grow more this year, regardless of what the economy does. As long as we keep doing quality work, we’ll be OK.

“These outdoor living spaces with brick patios and ponds are really growing,” Watts continues. “We’re doing more water features than ever, which truly help transform an ordinary backyard into a backyard paradise. I think people will continue investing more in their homes because they get a return on that investment.”

OLD-FASHIONED SERVICE MAKING A COMEBACK

Terry Dinkelman Sr. says he will continue investing in the one thing he’s sure to get a solid return on: his employees. Dinkelman Landscaping offers a retirement plan and 401k, and pays for part of its employees insurance. “The more our employees do for us, the more we invest in them,” Huston shares. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s hard. But we believe in our employees so much that we have to give back to them.”

“We can have all the equipment in the world, but if we don’t have good employees who do the work right, we’re dead in the water,” Terry Sr. adds. “I’m starting to see it now: Good, old-fashioned service is coming back. And those who can provide it will be successful.”

Terry Sr. and wife Sheila are thrilled that their children are carrying this vision into the future. Terry Sr. plans to start handing over the reins in the next five years or so. “I want to step back into more of an adviser role,” he says. “But I’ll always love getting out in the field and working. The way I look at it, a man’s gotta’ do something.”
Building a multi-million-dollar landscaping business from scratch hasn’t been a bad way to pass some time so far.