Ep. 27: Why Not You? From Rags to Riches

Even a humble guy from a poor background can make it in the green industry. Listen in as Rich Arlington details his life story and reveals how a homeless 16-year-old living on the streets of Erie, Pennsylvania became a successful, wealthy entrepreneur and business owner who now travels around the world teaching others how to achieve similar success.Arlington, author of "Why Not You?", is a green industry consultant and business manager who offers business training, risk management, and financial expertise to exterior maintenance service contractors, facility owners and property managers. As a U.S. Marine, Arlington is dedicated to assisting U.S. Veterans and their families. All the profits from his book sales are donated to the American Veterans Traveling Tribute and Texas Freedom Tribute Foundation to help fund scholarshipsIn 2000, he joined Affiliated Grounds Maintenance Group, Inc. as a consultant and business manager to assist in its growth. Today, the business encompasses 39 States with over 5,000 affiliate contractors and a 99% contractor retention rate. In 2005, he established a consulting firm, Rich Arlington & Associates, which offers business training, risk management, and financial expertise to exterior maintenance service contractors, facility owners and property managers. His clients have come to rely on his wealth of industry knowledge and experience with training in efficiencies and operations.Arlington is a Professional Landcare Network (‘PLANET') Trailblazer, a group of 118 selected veteran industry experts who dedicate their time to mentoring those in the landscape business. He also served on Snow and Ice Management Association's (SIMA) Board of Directors for three years and he is one of the founders of SIMA's Build-A-Bid program. In 2010, SIMA recognized Rich Arlington & Associates with an Excellence in Business Award and in 2011 the Company received the Industry Commitment Award from the organization. In addition to this, Arlington continues to oversee Arlington Lawn Care, his first brainchild formed in 1987, based in Erie where he resides with his family. To learn more visit www.richarlington.com.