LO Peer to Peer Network Fall Summit 2024

• Practical strategies to manage burnout and regain a passion and love for your business.
• Expert guidance on crafting a clear, actionable succession plan.
• Tools to build a sustainable business model that will make your life easier today and secure a positive future.

Our panellists:

Blake Tubby
Arbordale Landscaping

Blake Tubby is the second generation owner of Arbordale Landscaping — a company his parents started in 1981 after they completed the Certified Landscape Technician program at Humber College.

Arbordale quickly developed into a medium-sized landscape construction company providing hardscape, softscape and landscape carpentry services.

Blake started working in the family business as a summer job after graduating high school. After a year of studying in another field (which he didn't see a future in), he decided to enroll in the same program his parents attended at Humber College.

At Arbordale, Blake worked as a labourer, lead hand, crew leader, estimator and designer until 2017 when he purchased Arbordale from his parents. Since taking ownership, Blake had doubled yearly revenues, doubled profit margins and doubled the number of staff.

REGISTER NOW to hear Blake's succession story and key messages.

Liana Desmarais
Plantscape Windsor

Liana Desmarais is a second-generation owner of Plantscape Windsor. Although this wasn’t the career path she originally chose, Liana stepped into this role out of a sense of duty and has since found her place in it. Liana’s aim is to build a thriving business that can be successfully sold within the next 10-15 years, ensuring its continued growth and impact.

REGISTER NOW to hear Liana's succession story and key message.

Peter Guinane
Oriole Landscaping

Oriole started in 1986 when a couple of neighbours needed a short term solution for summer employment to pay for university. George Urvari and Peter Guinane had few skills, no equipment and no idea what was involved in running a business. What they did have was curiosity and a good work ethic.

As the end of university neared, they were riding the wave of the late 80s building boom and had built a business with equipment and staff. They were having fun and making money and chose to make a go of a year round venture just as the 1990 recession started. It was hard work for about four years, and not what they thought it would be. They were stuck as job owners, not so much business owners.

The only plan Oriole had from there was to sink or swim. Peter and George started taking the business more seriously and joined Landscape Ontario — networking and learning was our M/O and growth and profit were the result.

REGISTER NOW to hear Peter's succession story, key message and shared lesson.

Lindsay Drake Nightingale
Yorkshire Garden Services

Lindsay Drake Nightingale is the founder of Yorkshire Garden Services, a boutique gardening company now based in Richmond Hill, Ont. Established in 2002 shortly after completing the Horticulture Technician program at Humber College, Lindsay's journey began with a vision: to provide exceptional garden care while fostering a passion for the natural beauty of gardens.

Starting out in the office space above her garage in Newmarket, Lindsay faced the challenges of entrepreneurship head-on. With invaluable support from mentor Bob Tubby of Arbordale Landscaping and early participation in Canada Blooms, her business quickly gained traction. Over the years, Yorkshire Garden Services has adapted to the ebb and flow of economic conditions, managing teams that have ranged from four to thirteen dedicated crew members. Despite these fluctuations, one thing has remained constant: their unwavering commitment to being "Passionate About Gardens."

Lindsay's approach to business has always been guided by a clear vision and strategy. She believes in the importance of having a plan, whether it's formalized on paper or kept in her mind. Her guiding principles include hard work, continuous learning, mentoring others, embracing change, and fostering collaboration-all culminating in a tenacious drive to succeed.

One of her key insights is the importance of mentorship and open communication within her team. Lindsay emphasizes the need for business owners to reach out for guidance, especially regarding business and succession planning. She advocates for transparency with her crew, believing that keeping them informed fosters a secure environment where everyone can thrive.

Today, Yorkshire Garden Services continues to serve Toronto and southern York Region, specializing in potscaping, garden rejuvenation, and installation. Lindsay remains dedicated to her mission of nurturing both gardens and the people who work in them, ensuring that her business not only grows but flourishes especially as a sister company of Boots Landscaping and Maintenance Ltd.

REGISTER NOW to hear more about Lindsay's business practices and guiding principles.

Shelley McQuade
Cypress Strategies

Shelley founded Cypress Strategies, a boutique consulting firm that partners with companies and nonprofits to drive transformation. She is the Peak Prosperity Coach, dedicated to helping organizations remove roadblocks and unlock their next level of success.

With a passion for both people and business, Shelley's distinctive approach centres on building strategies that harness the unique strengths and talents of each organization. By creating systems and frameworks for clear thinking, she brings clarity, focus, and alignment to her clients, ensuring sustainable growth and streamlined operations.

With a keen understanding of human behaviour, Shelley has successfully guided organizations through periods of rapid growth and change. In addition, she has taught as an adjunct professor, sharing her expertise with future leaders.

Renowned for her ability to simplify complex ideas, Shelley accelerates implementation, empowering organizations to move swiftly toward their goals.

REGISTER NOW to hear Shelley's successful strategies.

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