A farewell message

Over the past three years, writing this column has been an honor and a journey. Every month I can reflect on what is going on in my life and my business. I get to look out into the industry and ask myself, “What should we be focused on next month?” At times, the articles flowed like water; at other times, I stared at the screen for an hour. Even then, I eventually found myself trying to fit everything into one page.

As I sit down to write my final column for Lawn & Landscape magazine, I’m filled with a mix of gratitude, pride and excitement for what lies ahead. My mission has always been to raise the bar in the landscape industry. While education has its place, I’ve always believed that motivation and inspiration are the forces that truly drive progress. They light the fire, push us through challenges and remind us of what’s possible.

And now, more than ever, our industry needs that spark. We’re in a time of extraordinary growth and transformation. Advancements in technology, new ways of thinking and increasing demand for professional-quality landscaping services have created incredible opportunities. But the tools and systems aren’t what sets us apart — it’s the passion and vision we bring to the work we do every day.

This column has always been about raising the bar — not just for us, but for our teams, our clients and the industry as a whole. It’s been an honor to share insights, spark conversations and challenge all of us to think bigger and do better. I’ve seen firsthand how innovation and grit can transform not just businesses but people’s lives.

I want to thank everyone of you who has taken the time to read these columns, shared their thoughts or reached out with a question or story. Your support has been humbling, reminding me why this industry is so special. We are more than a collection of businesses. We are a community — a community that values hard work, creativity and a commitment to building something meaningful.

As I look to the future, I’m excited to continue doing what I love: building, innovating and contributing to this amazing industry. The opportunities ahead are endless for those who are bold enough to embrace change and challenge the status quo.

The landscape industry is in an incredible place. The demand for our services is growing, sustainability is becoming a priority, and we have the tools to achieve operational excellence. But what will truly set us apart is our ability to lead with purpose, inspire others and raise the bar in everything we do.

So, as I close this chapter, I want to leave you with a challenge: Focus on impact. Strive to build businesses that create opportunity, foster innovation and inspire the next generation of leaders. This work is bigger than any one of us, but together, we have the power to shape an industry that sets the standard for decades to come.

Thank you for letting me be a small part of your journey and thank you for being part of mine. The stories, challenges and victories you’ve shared have shaped me as much as I hope I’ve inspired you.

This isn’t goodbye — it’s just the next step in raising the bar.

Raise the bar is a monthly column by Justin White, CEO of K&D Landscaping, written to help improve professionalism in the green industry. He can be reached at justin@kndlandscaping.com.