When I first started Grunder Landscaping Co. (GLC) as a teenager, I was lucky that a few successful business people in my local community took my under their wing and mentored me. They taught me good etiquette for networking lunches, let me learn new skills working on their properties, and instilled in me some of the business fundamentals I still rely on today. They were doctors, engineers, executives, and small business owners and while their advice was so useful, there were some things they just couldn't help me with.
When I needed advice that was specific to our industry, I looked to find mentors outside of my service area. In 1995 we launched our ACE Peer Group Program to bring together peers from different markets across the country to share ideas and get better because I was looking for regular feedback and community. That initial group had 12 companies in it. Here are the three biggest lessons I learned from them:
Companies in southern markets versus northern ones, companies that do residential versus commercial work, and companies of varying sizes: we all tend to face the same core challenges. While there may be some modification necessary, the solutions to issues like labor shortages, upset clients, providing strong training, and hitting sales goals work whether your company is in Phoenix or Boston. Some of the best advice I've gotten from my peers over the years:
That it was time to part ways with a team member who was experienced but not a culture fit
Ideas on the best ways to advertise my services
Swapping out the type of dumpster we had onsite would save us money
Being the owner can be lonely - there's a lot of pressure and stress on our shoulders because we know we have team members counting on us. This peer group gave me friends I could call who understood that, and also had experience I could learn from to solve whatever challenge was most pressing. Sometimes we just need a friend, and some of my best friends in this industry I've meet through our ACE Peer Group Program.
ACE Peer Group Members and GROW! 2026 Tour Hosts Gene Freeman and Chris Strempek
Even 42 years into running GLC, we're still trying new things and occasionally messing up. When we're looking at doing something new, we start out by talking to someone who has been there, done that. In the past year, we've asked our community for advice on bidding commercial installs, best-practices for installing a commercial water fountain, introduction to a client they work with who has properties in our service area, advertising strategies that are working, and more. Having a community that is doing the same work we are in other markets helps us to avoid mistakes they've already made and try new things with more confidence.
Community is a powerful thing, whether it's local or nation-wide, and finding people who you can learn from and alongside can be the difference between your business thriving or flailing. I'm excited that later this month we'll be adding new members to our ACE Peer Group Program during ACE Discovery. This event is designed to be a test-drive of our ACE Peer Group Program and is offered only twice a year: if you're thinking that joining a peer group could make a difference for you, check it out and email us if you have questions! We'd love to add you to our community.
Founder & CEO
The Grow Group & Grunder Landscaping Co.