Over 19 years of industry experience, full certification, and a sterling reputation for great service. See your vision come to life.
10 Kingsley Road
Fredericton, NB
E3G6E3
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My story is a great one. Do you have 5 minutes? My story starts in May 2004, I had just received the news I was going to be a young father at the young age of 17. Yes, that’s right - 17 years old. Shocking to hear as a grade 12 student yet to graduate high school. June 2004, I graduate on time and respond to an add in the local daily gleaner with the leading landscape company in the city. I started as a lawn mower’s helper’s helper. You know, the 3rd guy in a crowded 1/4 ton, less than ideal. Within 2 weeks, I was promoted to lawn mowing foreman with a pay raise as the foreman at the time was a steady no show and couldn’t be counted on. That summer - my first summer, I jack-knifed the mowing trailer into the truck. I felt terrible and embarrassed. The boss didn’t seem to care at all really, knew it was an accident, but looking back I may not be here today if I was dismissed that day 14 years ago, I respect him for that. After a year of the monotonous mowing crew, I asked to be traded to the landscape side of this large company. After a year of training and re-training, trying various people as suitable replacements to take over the large mowing route, my request to waive the no-trade clause was granted. I had the great fortune of right away being teamed up with the smartest man I have ever known to this day. He immediately took me under his wing and truly expressed the importance of cross training. He had said “...what truly separates you Al is the cross training.” As most people, for some strange reason, don’t like to grow in all areas. they’re content where they are, for lack of better term “one trick pony”. I was not content where I was. I was promoted from within from junior to senior foreman taking on more and more responsibility as the years went on, with larger and more challenging projects. Not to sound like a cliche, I truly just wanted to be the best I could possibly be in every single aspect. I noticed at this very large company that no one had any designations apart from the owner. I seen it as an opportunity as I was really interested in this field at this time, spending winters taking training sessions, learning the theory of the trade. Remember, Landscape was not considered or recognized as a red seal trade at this time, so, I challenged and attempted the industry certification testing in Truro, N.S. at their Spring testing to be a designated “CHT” (Certified Horticulture Technician) now known as CLT. It truly is a tough designation to earn, it’s a combination of 3 written exams and 6-8 hands on stations to prove competency with appropriate time restrictions. I aced all 3 written tests but failed one station my first attempt. Most exit here. Not to be discouraged whatsoever I held my head high and I came back at the next available opportunity - that fall, on my own dime and completed the examinations. I was now a certified industry standard landscape technician. I was very proud and rightfully so. I was hoping it was going to hold more weight with my employer at the time, but sadly, there was failure to see it’s significance. After 10 years of service, I was heartbroken and quietly and respectfully left the company at season’s end. A smaller company reached out to me the following year, they also had a great reputation, so I joined the A-team as we called it. Met 2 lovely co-workers I still talk to today, lovely folks. At this point, I had my journeyman status as a red seal landscape horticulturist and wanted to invest in this smaller company. I observed this company’s pros and cons, they had a lot of promise but also areas where there could be improvements and where I could make a direct impact. A partnership and/OR investment wasn’t in the cards. I finished my 2nd year with that company but knew deep down that I had to start my own. This story was and is not a slight at either one of my employers along the way, they truly taught me the ropes, it’s a story of growth and how we got to where we are. It’s not all roses BY ANY MEANS, but we love what we do and we love doing what we want. I knew it was going to be tough, and BOY is it ever tough but at the end of the day we’re happy and that’s all that matters. Lastly, going back to May 2004, hearing that news of a baby on the way - wouldn’t change it for the world. He turns 13 this Friday.
