Aaron Walls, owner, Purple Walrus Lawn Co., Lewis Park, Ky.
Green Industry Pros: I have to ask, what's the story behind your company's name, Purple Walrus Lawn Co.?
Walls: It's an audible. I'm a huge Raiders fan, and in 2020, when there was no one in the stands, the quarterback came to the line and you could hear everything the quarterback said. He called an audible and got a pass over the middle against the Chiefs. They were like, 'purple walrus,' and it worked. I looked at my wife and said, 'I'm quitting the factory. My career needs an audible.'
Green Industry Pros: So was 2020 when you first got into the industry?
Walls: As a kid, I always mowed grass on my own. And then even as an adult, I always ended up mowing a couple. I was in a factory and hated it. Then I maneuvered into a landscape company and he taught me more than just how to mow. It was showing up at the same place, same time, every day, getting a tight route and stuff like that.
Green Industry Pros: Can you tell me a little more about your company?
Walls: Mowing is all 99% residential. We stay out of the commercial market here, because a lot of them are in a contest of who can go the lowest (on price). I do a lot of landscape lighting and holiday lighting and landscaping and higher-profit work. There's not a lot of money mowing, so I try to do as little of that as possible. I'm solo, and if I'm behind, my kids will help me, if they're on break (from school).
Green Industry Pros: What are some of your challenges?
Walls: There's not enough daylight. I really like what I do, but I also have family, so I have to stop doing what I love to do to come home and do that part, too. So, I wish the day was longer.
Green Industry Pros: What's your advice for someone getting into the industry?
Walls: Don't get your pricing from YouTube or Facebook. Get your pricing from your own numbers, not somebody else's. Find somebody who's been in it over five years, who could maybe guide you to a coach.
Green Industry Pros: Do you have a favorite piece of equipment?
Walls: I really like mowing on my Ferris.
Green Industry Pros: What've been the best parts of being in the industry?
Walls: I've got a show on Turf's Up Radio. I started, actually started listening to one of the guys, Eric Jones, who really helped me. In 2019 or 2020, I started listening to them. And then over the years, I started implying what they were suggesting. After a couple years, Darren (Gruner) said, 'you're really growing; you could do a show.' I thought at first that I'm not talking on the radio, but the more I thought about it, the more I thought, this one guy gave me free information and didn't charge anything, so why should I withhold this information and not share it with others? That's why I started: to give back what was freely given to me.
Green Industry Pros: What've been the highlights since you started your own show?
Walls: Building communication skills is really cool. This has really brought me out of my shell to communicate with people. It's got me communicating, most importantly, with my wife, way more. All of that is good when really, I was just trying to give back to what someone gave to me.
Green Industry Pros: What could the green industry use more of?
Walls: Women don't get their fair shot. There needs to be more things to tell women 'you can get a landscape firm. There's nothing you can't do.' They are probably going to do better work than the guys because they're more detail-oriented.
My daughter is in high school and whenever she has to fill out a worksheet about career paths, none of it ever has to do with college or office work. It's always working on something we're outside. She enjoys it. I think landscaping would probably be in her future if her dad wasn't the boss. I think she'll go out and chase the world for a little while and come back to it.
Green Industry Pros: What do you like to do in your free time?
Walls: My wife and I like to travel. We love going down to south and to Biloxi, Miss. We like going to the Half Shell (Oyster House) and eating oysters. There's also a place called Tato-Nut Donut Shop that sells a potato donut down in Ocean Springs, Miss. It's a super small restaurant. Also, we have 35 acres here at my house, and my kids and nephew and I will all ride the trails. We all have four-wheelers. It's a lot of fun getting muddy and stuff like that.
