After nearly four decades of building and growing Oriole Landscaping, I’ve learned a few things about the realities of scaling a business. My journey has been one of hard-earned lessons, and I’m excited to share insights that might help other business owners reach their goals without as many bumps along the way.

The Challenges of Business Growth

Business growth is a balancing act. You’re constantly juggling management, finances, and adaptability. Growth requires not just having enough capital but also being prepared to pivot your business operations in real-time. I’ve seen firsthand that growth doesn’t have to mean sacrificing profitability. With careful planning, it’s possible to grow sustainably and avoid the common pitfalls that catch many business owners off guard.

Building Oriole Landscaping

Alongside my business partner, Peter Ganan, I built Oriole Landscaping over the past 38 years, growing a team of 45-50 talented people who now run the day-to-day operations. This was intentional—I wanted the business to operate independently of me, and the key to making that happen was investing in a strong team and reliable processes.

When you have the right people in place and systems that support them, you not only build a successful company, but you also create peace of mind for yourself as a business owner. This didn’t come without stress; there were years of intense challenges and countless sleepless nights. If I’d known then what I know now, I could have avoided a lot of unnecessary strain. My hope is to help others sidestep some of those challenges.

Communication is Key

Effective communication is the bedrock of any successful business. Moving away from a “me” culture to a “we” culture is essential. For a long time, I operated as what I jokingly called the “Chief Interruption Officer,” constantly diving into everyone’s work. This led to frustration and disrupted productivity.

To remedy this, I implemented structured meetings with clear agendas. These meetings became our “practice sessions,” where we could collaborate, learn from one another’s experiences, and share critical information. Good communication and consistent meetings foster a culture of accountability and shared learning, creating an environment where the team supports each other’s growth and success.

Building a Strong Culture

Creating a positive culture takes more than incentives and “sticks.” While there’s a time for correcting behavior, culture is really built on consistency, peer accountability, and systems. For instance, at Oriole, everyone backs into their parking spaces, signaling organization and readiness from the moment you enter the lot. Small details like this reflect a high standard and attract people who value that level of commitment.

In meetings, peers hold each other accountable, encouraging everyone to contribute their best. When everyone is invested in the same vision and values, a strong culture naturally develops.

Leadership and Financial Discipline

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that not all money is well spent. Recently, I worked with a company that had about $100,000 tied up in underutilized assets. Once we reallocated those funds, we opened up new opportunities for growth. A frugal mindset—investing in what truly moves the business forward—can make a huge impact over time.

Getting a handle on financial discipline doesn’t mean being cheap, nor does it mean excessive spending. It’s about finding the balance, focusing resources where they’ll have the greatest return, and avoiding waste. For many business owners, an openness to new financial strategies can be transformational.

Two Paths to Growth

Most businesses I encounter are on one of two paths: the chaotic, reactive path or the organized, strategic path. If you’re constantly firefighting, missing communication, and dealing with costly mistakes, it’s time to reevaluate. My goal with consulting is to help others move from the left side of the equation—the distress path—to the right side, where your business operates like a well-oiled machine.

Growth should be a planned endeavor, not a reaction to demand. Often, saying “no” to opportunities that don’t align with your current capacity is one of the smartest moves you can make.

My Final Advice

Achieving sustainable growth requires knowledge, planning, and the right support. I didn’t have a mentor in my early years, and it made the journey much tougher than it needed to be. If you’re open to new ideas, a lot can change for you in just a few years. With thoughtful strategies, you can go from running a distressed business to creating a thriving, profitable, and enjoyable venture.

If any of these insights resonate, I’d be happy to talk more about how we can build the right systems and strategies for your business. Let’s move your business from chaos to opportunity, so you can focus on what matters most: building something that lasts.

Thanks for reading,

George Urvari