Working in landscaping since age 14, Kevin Salters has watched the industry evolve over decades. One change he’s seen in the past few years is how social media has made it easier to learn about opportunities where he can connect with other professionals at networking events.
Peer connections
In December, Salters, owner of Root Development in Suffield, Conn., participated in his first LM Growth Summit in Orlando, Fla., at the recommendation of two past attendees. Since the Summit began in 2012, the event has helped lawn care operators connect with each other and industry partners.
“There’s no worry of telling secrets because there isn’t competition,” Salters says. “These are people from across the country there — not from right in your backyard. We can really talk numbers and not worry about someone possibly poaching some of your information.”
Attendees discussed things like what worked for their businesses, how they found new employees for the spring and other issues they all face. The relationships he formed with the other attendees, LM partners and LM staff were the main benefits of attending the Summit, he says.
“When you own your own business, you don’t have a boardroom with a CEO, CFO or all of those people who you can bounce ideas off of,” Salters says. “So when you come and meet all of these people at an event such as this one, you have them as a resource to reach out to.”
In addition to their conversations during the scheduled meetings, Salters says he also connected with fellow attendees during meals, golf and other get-togethers during the LM Growth Summit.
“That’s when the real dirt comes out, and you get to ask the really good questions. It’s intimate,” Salters says. “You literally get to know everyone’s name by the time you leave and don’t need name tags afterward. You can see what’s working in other areas and learn from those people, which is really important.”
Industry partners
Salters also had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with LM partners about their products and learn about specials and early order programs. He test-drove equipment and talked to the vendors in detail, and he made purchases while he was there, including a piece from Stinger Equipment.
Industry experts were also available to help attendees understand how to set up their companies to sell in the future. Having that type of resource at the event to discuss the numbers side of the business — from private equity and venture capitalists to selling to a franchise — was beneficial since it’s not something they can typically discuss in a local setting, he says.
“Whenever we go into anything we do in life, you always want an exit,” Salters says. “Many of us start businesses without that plan, so it was nice to talk to them and get that strategy out of this seminar.”
Months after the event, Salters still has the agenda on his desk and stays in regular contact with many of the other attendees. Keeping an open line of communication is especially important as the industry grows and advances, he says. The LM Growth Summit helped him make connections, and he says he hopes to attend again in the future.
“As long as you go through the application process and you meet the qualifications, you would be crazy not to go,” Salters says. “It’s the best event I’ve been to, and I’ve been in this industry since 1987.”
