Crystal Arlington, CSP, LIC

President
Affiliated Grounds Maintenance Group
Lake City, Pa.

Education

Fairview High School
Fairview, Pa.
Class of 1991

Mercyhurst University
Associate Degree
Early Childhood Education
2005-2008

Did you know?

Arlington’s husband, Rich Arlington III, owns Arlington Lawncare and Rich Arlington & Associates. They’re both National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) Trailblazers. In February, she was named the NALP’s Woman Entrepreneur of the Year.

“It wasn’t until 1999 that I set up Affiliated Grounds Maintenance Group, and that was because Kohl’s asked us to take over the whole East Coast for them. They were looking for minority- and women-owned service providers.”

Words of Wisdom

“Honesty is really the best policy. People get in trouble by sugarcoating things, like promising a client something you can’t do. I think I’m very fortunate in life because I give back and I’m truthful.”

“If you want to be somewhere in life, you have to be willing to give up things, sacrifice and do the work, especially when you don’t want to do the work. You don’t get things handed to you, and you have to believe in what you’re working for.”

“Yeah, you’re going to lose accounts to low-ballers. I’ve had another large company go to a major account of mine and offer to do it for free for a year if they’d get rid of me. Do you think they got their problems solved when they were getting service for free? Think about it. The customers always end up hiring you back.”