Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Arnold.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I got started in the green industry around the year 2006, but even before that, as a little kid, I passed out “business cards” to neighbors up and down the block where I lived for my lawn mowing “business.” After high school, I had decided I wanted to pursue a career in architecture and construction management. While in college, the business was blowing up and I had no desire for school – I even cut class to go work. Through the years, we have been blessed with the greatest people – both clients and employees – and it is because of their loyalty and dedication that we are where we are today. We have built a reputation in this region as the premier go-to one-stop-shop for all things design + build, lawn maintenance and fertilization, and commercial snow and ice control.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been everything BUT a smooth road – more like a roller coaster. The landscape industry is a unique one in that it has very little barriers to entry. What I mean by that is, anyone can throw a wheelbarrow into the bed of their truck, pick up some letters from the hardware store and slap “landscaping” on the side of the door, and then call themselves my competitor. It only causes us to be much more ambitious about educating our customer on the process of a project so that they know what is involved with cost. The other struggle has been acquiring more of the right employees. Even with an economy that seems to have had a high level of unemployment over the past several years, it has been struggle-some. This is a problem the entire industry has reported.

Please tell us about Creekside Landscaping.
Creekside is a comprehensive landscape company providing a variety of outdoor services for residential homes and commercial properties for every season in Northwest Indiana/Chicagoland.

We’re a full service, custom design + installation, lawn maintenance and fertilization, and snow removal company.

We specialize (and are known for) in custom 3D designed backyard retreats – a vacation spot that you don’t need to leave home for. This includes patios, outdoor kitchens, pool scapes, fire and water features, plantings, etc. Our fertilization programs are also custom fitted for each property.

I’m most proud of our ability to serve clients without bias or dishonesty. I have witnessed time and time again contractors taking advantage of customers. We don’t have any salesmen – only regular people that have a passion for what we do, engaging in comfortable conversation and casual relationship with other people who want what we’re capable of producing.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory from childhood is going up to the family cabin in Michigan where we rode dirt bikes, shot guns, visited the beach, and enjoyed bonfires.

Read the full interview here http://voyagechicago.com/interview/meet-mike-arnold-creekside-landscaping-northwest-indiana/