Hold On…E-Ticket Ride Ahead!

In the early days of Disneyland, patrons needed to buy books of tickets to be used on the various attractions. The tickets came in different colors with a big, bold letter signifying on which group of rides they could be used. The E-Tickets were the best ones and got you on all the major rides, including the big rollercoasters. The term remains as something adventurous, long after its original meaning is no longer. (Ask someone over 50!)

Well, tighten your seat belts because we are entering a business time of year that could have more ups and downs and sideways jerks than the scariest rollercoaster you have ever been on.

I recently met with a major manufacturer of landscape products and equipment, and we discussed the present and future difficulties impacting all of us in the landscape industry. Because of distribution backlogs, skyrocketing fuel costs, and mandated wage increases – along with dollar-weakening inflation and employee scarcity – making an accurate business forecast is almost impossible. Add to that the continuing Covid restrictions and uncertainty of the war in Ukraine, and the planning for our future keeps being pushed aside by more immediate things like just trying to exist in these turbulent times. But plan we must…suppliers in stocking up for the busy spring season, and contractors by making sure you have all the things needed for those future award-winning projects you just contracted to do. Those of us in the landscape industry are a resilient bunch, creative and hard-working. We will overcome these “temporary” difficulties, just like we have overcome so many others thrown our way in the past.

One way to help overcome is by improving your craft by attending multi-award winner Richard Cohen’s Zoom seminar “How to prepare an award-winning landscape project,” on Thursday, March 31 at 2 p.m. The free event is hosted by the San Fernando Valley Chapter, but members from all surrounding chapters are invited to attend. Register at www.clcasfv.org.

How to better market your services will also help you secure a more prosperous future this year. Therefore, Landscape Warehouse is hosting the San Fernando Valley CLCA Chapter’s May 26 Roundtable Discussion on “How our members market their businesses.” The FREE event starts at 6:30 p.m., includes dinner and is hosted by Landscape Warehouse, 7053 Valjean Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91406; (818) 387-6445). Hope to see you there.

By working together, sharing contacts and information, and using the benefits of CLCA membership and its political clout, you just may turn this business rollercoaster ride into a victory lap in the park. Remember, you are not alone. ¡Juntos, sí se puede!

– José Robles, owner, Landscape Warehouse