The first time I went to my now-wife’s childhood home to spend some time with her family, it was when we were dating. I’m not one to sit still, so I had planned what I could do for my still-new-and-growing landscaping business while I was away — this was the ’90s and it was before remote work was at all a possibility.
I had read in some trade magazines like this one about a successful landscaper whose operation was based north of Chicago, just a short drive from my wife’s parent’s house. So, I mapped out the route and drove to his office when I had some free time. I just walked right in, explained to the woman working at the front desk that I was Marty Grunder, I had a small landscaping business in Dayton, Ohio, and asked if Frank Mariani was available and would meet with me.
Frank met with me that day, and his willingness to open his schedule and share wisdom with a young guy like me was my first experience of how open this industry is to sharing best practices and helping each other get better. I saw Frank as this older, wiser company owner back then, which is funny because I’m now older than he was when we first met.
I’ve had so many mentors along the way, people who have put a lot of thought and time into my business even when they had nothing to gain from doing so. They inspired me to pay it forward, too, which is how the GROW! annual conference got its start 30-plus years ago. Here are some of my favorite things that I have taken away from that event over the years.
The generosity of the industry
Without fail, each year we’re contacted by company owners and mentors who want to sponsor a young person to attend this event. Often, it’s someone whose business is just starting out and knows how much of a difference the education and networking available at industry events can make.
Friendships
My team and I look forward to seeing the friends we’ve each made over years of hosting this event, and it’s so great to reconnect and hear about the changes in their business and lives since we last saw them. It’s also so rewarding for me to walk around during meals and breaks and see new friendships starting left and right.
One of my best friends in the industry is Jeffrey Johns. He and I met when he attended the very first event I ever hosted. He’d tell you the events have gotten much better since then — he still attends every year and now brings his team with him.
The little details
My team and I meticulously review the agenda before we publish it for the annual event; we’re in the process of doing that as I’m writing this to ensure that our 2026 event is as packed full of learning as we can possibly get it. The best tips and tricks I pick up usually come from getting-in-the weeds, which is why we spend time working with our tour hosts on their presentations, reviewing our breakout sessions and teaching the details of our own roles at Grunder Landscaping Co.
This event has made my life better in so many ways — I learn as much from our attendees as they hopefully learn from my team and I — and I can’t wait to be back together in Dallas Feb. 10-12. If you’d like to join us this year, register before November 1; early bird pricing ends at 11:30 p.m. ET on Nov. 1 and the price goes up $200 after that! For more info, click here.
It’s no fun to be in business alone. Get to our event and meet our community of success-minded landscape pros. You’ll have fun and learn ways to be more successful in 2026, too.
