Looking back over five decades of DeSantis Landscapes, I think about what differentiates us. What separates our business from the rest?
When we first started out, it was all about hustle and grit. Tony DeSantis, Tom DeSantis, Ted Mucken, and others worked hard to earn new work and keep the doors open. Early on, we recognized that if we wanted to build a new and different kind of landscape company, our future and our legacy would rely on putting our remarkable people first.
Since those early days, the decision to invest in a people-first culture has brought us together on a personal level. It’s created a real sense of community, improved performance and results, and built an even better company than we could have dreamed—one where a diverse group of people could find a genuine sense of purpose.
Years ago, I left Oregon and DeSantis Landscapes, a state and company I had grown up in. I chose teaching and the Peace Corps, traveling the world on a journey of self-discovery and a belief that you can change anything for the better if you help others realize their dreams and potential.
If it takes a village, the people at the heart of DeSantis Landscapes are that, and more. Bonds of friendships, careers that flourish, and a group of people who pull together with one common and shared set of values summed up in The DeSantis Way, 25 Fundamentals that guide our actions on a daily basis.
Our company’s focus on community and possibilities has opened the door to generations of talented people; people who’ve come to us with stories of inspiration and aspiration, individuals who are craftsmen, immigrants, farm kids, managers, horticulturalists, environmentalists and conservationists, all who come to us with the passion and commitment to wow our clients with award-winning work.
Not one day has passed that I don’t see new opportunities, remember where we came from, how far we’ve come, and reflect on how much DeSantis Landscapes has done to help people live better lives.
50 years is a significant milestone but, in many ways, it feels like a new beginning. With the organization we have in place, the team we have in place, and the plans we have to grow, I’m extremely optimistic for what lies ahead.
I’m so thankful to everyone that helped us build a great company, who inspired us to think big and go beyond, and who always put Creating Beauty and Respecting Nature at the heart of what we do.