Quality work and the additions of new skills and services has helped Mullin Landscape Associates surpass expectations.

Chase Mullin swore he would “never mow grass.” But today, the president of Mullin Landscape Associates does just that and then some. The $4.6-million, full-service company in New Orleans has continued to evolve since its beginnings in 2007. While Mullin is humble about his success, he credits his company’s growth to embracing diversification as needs changed and by never settling for anything but the best he and his crews have to offer.

“We are doing things that aren’t unique, but we’re doing them well,” Mullin says. “We are doing things that everyone should be doing but can’t.”

Despite a background in construction and a love of the outdoors, Mullin’s entrance into the landscape industry was slightly unexpected. After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005, Mullin found himself working alongside a family friend who was using her landscape architecture skills to help rebuild the city. After gaining more experience working for a local full-service company, Mullin set out on his own with a Jeep, a trailer borrowed from a friend and 12 weekends of work lined up. Within three months, he was able to invest in a truck and a trailer of his own and employ a three-man crew. Mullin says he was fortunate with how quickly things ramped up.

“I still wasn’t sure landscaping was what I wanted to do for a living,” Mullin says. “But I had a client—who is still a client today—who was so impressed that we showed up and did what we said we were going to do. I realized this was something I could do long term.”

While he started out doing strictly plant installation and maintenance, Mullin quickly found diversification was going to be key to his company’s growth and success. Today, design/build and irrigation comprise 70 percent of his business, and mowing and maintenance make up the remaining services offered to his 80 percent residential and 20 percent commercial clientele.

Adding mowing has helped Mullin Landscape Associates survive economic downturns and weather through tough times.

This diversity also has allowed the firm to become a turnkey solution for all of its clients’ outdoor needs—one of Mullin’s greatest joys is seeing through a multifaceted project from start to finish. From pools and outdoor kitchens, to pest management and green roofs, there’s little his crews can’t do. Mullin adds that the New Orleans climate allows for an interesting mix of temperate, tropical plants and unique structural designs to match the city’s historical architecture. These bonuses let his designers’ creativity shine.

“When people ask what our niche is, I say it’s that we can take a project from start to completion, no matter how detailed it is,” Mullin says. “Some companies might do the landscape and irrigation, but a fireplace scares them. We can do all that.”

Building a staff

These added services have increased Mullin’s need for high-quality employees. Finding them is one of the company’s biggest challenges. Mullin utilizes online and college recruitment services and has hired all his landscape designers from Louisiana State University’s top-rated landscape architecture program. In 2014, Mullin placed a renewed emphasis on employee training. He implemented weekly training sessions for all managers, a monthly training course for all production team members and more in-depth training for the whole staff on a quarterly basis. The company encourages ongoing education and reimburses team members for earning additional certifications and licenses, which Mullin says adds value to the employee as well as to the company.

“It’s important to hire the right people and trust that they are capable of doing as good of a job, or better, than I could do,” Mullin says. “Then you have to develop them, take care of them and make them feel appreciated. They want to see there’s a future and that the company is going places.”

Implementing systems was another challenge Mullin Landscape Associates had to overcome to get where it is today. From consistent job descriptions to a scripted sales process, the systems ensure each employee does the job he or she is supposed to do the way it’s supposed to be done. Mullin established an executive committee of upper-level managers that meets once a week to ensure systems and processes are flowing and being implemented in predetermined time frames. The company also is working with several industry consultants to assist in systems development, which Mullin says has provided everyone a fresh perspective.

“When I first started out, I would read about systems but couldn’t wrap my head around how important they are,” Mullin says. “My advice would be to implement them sooner rather than later. It’s easier to do as a small company than it is when you get bigger.”

But from day one, Mullin’s main mantra has been to always do the best work possible. From that first client’s early words of encouragement, he has strived to maintain a level of service that he can be proud of and that will keep his customers coming back.

“We are trying to do the best we can, consistently,” Mullin says. “That’s the biggest thing.”

Schappacher is a freelance writer based in Charlotte, N.C.

Photos: Mullin Landscape Associates