For Brad Herrle, sales and operations manager at Lawn Rx in Latrobe, Pa., the 2023 LM Growth Summit was an invaluable experience.
Herrle was a first-time attendee in 2023 and left the Summit feeling good about helping Lawn Rx reach its goals — including eclipsing the 3,000-customer mark and handling rising labor costs — in 2024.
“I met peers who ranged from being just 3-4 hours away from our business, to being several states away or even across the country,” he says. “Though we’re separated by geography, we are all facing similar challenges, whether that’s dealing with the labor shortage, new state regulations in the lawn care industry and several other challenges.”
Meeting with partners
For Lawn Rx, the rising cost of chemicals — pesticides, herbicides and fungicides — has been a major point of concern as the company continues to grow.
“The chemical market in our industry is becoming more competitive than ever,” Herrle says. “There’s an influx of newer companies entering the market, certain products are soon to be off-patent and there’s a lot of development of new products addressing specific needs in the industry.”
With that rapid expansion, Herrle says that events like the Growth Summit are crucial for businesses, as they offer the chance for one-on-one sit-downs with companies. Herrle says that his meetings with partners at the 2023 Summit helped put Lawn Rx in a better situation to succeed in 2024, specifically because their competitors weren’t there.
“Those of us who make sourcing and purchasing decisions need to stay educated as to who our potential suppliers are,” he continues. “(We have to know) what products they offer and not be afraid to try a new supplier or product. If we get complacent, our competitors have the chance to pass us by.”
Making connections
Equally as important for Herrle was being able to share experiences and best practices with other Growth Summit attendees. He adds that being able to learn about what others are doing to tackle those shared challenges was invaluable.
“I’ve been attending conferences in various industries for approximately 25 years, and the LM Growth Summit format is by far my favorite,” Herrle says. “The intimacy is what sets the event apart. I had a chance to talk to almost everyone in attendance and have meaningful conversations with numerous attendees. I’ve stayed in touch with several contacts I made in December and will continue to do so.”
