Young landscaper builds successful company by staying positive

Rudy Larson accepted his award at the National Collegiate Landscape Competition, which was also his first time to visit the event. Photo: NALPRudy Larson accepted his award at the National Collegiate Landscape Competition, which was also his first time to visit the event.
Photo: NALP

After Rudy Larson was named Total Landscape Care’s Landscaper of the Year in 2015, he wasted no time in garnering even more recognition of his dedication to the industry. In 2016, the owner of Lawn Butler has already earned the Young Entrepreneur of the Year award.

Presented by the National Association of Landscape Professionals, the award recognizes an entrepreneur under 40 who demonstrates initiative and can serve as an example for students pursuing a career in landscaping.

Larson launched his Utah-based company in 2007 right out of high school. Today, he employs 160 full-time staff. His company’s annual revenue exceeds $8 million. His goal is to become the largest landscape company in Utah.

Larson received the Entrepreneur of the Year Award during the 40th National Collegiate Landscape Competition earlier this month at Mississippi State University.

In his speech, he told the students three traits they needed to have to be successful. His keys to success are positivity, grit, and vision.

Larson urged the landscaping students to be positive by seeing opportunity in adversity. As for grit, this was defined as a willingness to stay the course despite problems and to make the necessary sacrifices. He also pointed out how important it is to be able to see your company 10 to 20 years down the road; otherwise, there is no vision and no goal to strive for.

“My grit kept me going and my vision showed me where I wanted to be,” he said.

For more about Larson’s company, check out TLC’s Landscaper of the Year article here.

In May, the National Association of Landscape Professionals will begin accepting nominations for next year’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

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