Ep 34: John Brouder - The Evolution of Brouder & Sons: A family’s landscape legacy

In this episode of Titan Talks, Jonathan Stern interviews John Brouder, owner of Brouder & Sons Landscaping and Irrigation. John talks about starting his business during college and evolving it from lawn maintenance to specializing in hardscapes, irrigation, and low-voltage lighting due to the low profitability and high competition in lawn mowing. He mentions working through New England’s seasons, including performing snow plowing in winter. Despite having a small team, John emphasizes quality work and customer satisfaction, which have contributed to his success, noting the challenge of balancing expansion with maintaining personal happiness and service quality. He also discusses the potential for his sons to take over the business, highlighting his elder son David’s significant contribution during a period when John’s health was compromised. (00:00) - Intro (01:05) - Beginning of John Brouder’s Landscaping Journey (02:50) - Transition from Lawn Mowing to Hardscapes and Irrigation (04:10) - Challenges of the Lawn Maintenance Business (05:40) - Seasonal Nature of the Landscaping Industry (07:00) - John Brouder’s Day-to-Day & Business Administration (08:20) - Business Growth and Employee Management Philosophy (10:00) - Succession Plans and Involving Family in the Business (11:30) - Building a Reputable Business and Customer Satisfaction (13:00) - Evolution of the Landscaping Industry and Impact of Technology (14:40) - Marketing Strategies and Changing Business Landscape Post-COVID (16:10) - Pricing in the Competitive Landscape Industry (17:10) - Proudest Moments Running Brouder and Sons