Meet Samuel Williams of Boulder County

Today we’d like to introduce you to Samuel Williams.

Hi Samuel, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I began my career in the tree care industry back in college when I had been moving from major to major undecided on my path. I began in business, then philosophy, then physics and landed in forestry eventually graduating from CSU with a degree in forest biology focusing on plant physiology and pathology. Dismayed and discouraged at the lack of prospects in academia and government research I realized that if I wanted to pursue my passion of working WITH trees rather than under fluorescent lights and a concrete building writing grant proposals all day, I would need to move into private industry.

I began working for a fort Collins base company as their plant healthcare technician, but was constantly crossing my ethical boundaries with how the industry uses pesticides. I shifted my focus into training to be a tree climber and arborist. I moved to Boulder with my wife so she could complete her master’s degree and began working with a local company. I was let go from this position after taking 2 weeks off for my honeymoon, and when I returned to work I found that they had filled my position and I was no longer needed. This gave me the motivation and momentum to begin my own business.

When I was in high school my dad lost his job following 9/11 and the subsequent recession. He started a window washing to see us through difficult times, and taught me that self-motivation can create success. Immediately I saw that I could make more than three times what I would earn at my job as a server at a restaurant if I worked with him to build that business. After working together through high school and into my college years he eventually found another career path and I took over the window washing business. I continued to grow the business, but knew that it wasn’t my passion and long-term path.

When I was let go from my climbing job in Boulder following my honeymoon I knew that I had the foundation and the skill set needed to begin my own business. I began subcontracting as a climber for other local companies, but soon recognize that much of the work they produced was not grounded in science or plant physiology. This gave me the motivation to begin advertising my business to the general public.

I began using HomeAdvisor, a platform connecting homeowners with local service providers, and while extremely expensive, I found that if I could speak to clients about their trees they would soon see my passion and that would lead to me earning their trust to manage the health of their trees. My business began slow, but my needs were minimal, and I could enjoy time off with my wife while still earning more than I ever made working for another company.

As my family and needs grew, so did my business, and over the years we have evolved into a small but sustainable and profitable business focusing on respect for the trees, clients, environment, and our team. The trees are my true clients, and their owners may change over time, but the real pleasure of this business I have built is watching the trees grow into resilient long live individuals each with their own story.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has been generally smooth, but the business is seasonal and fluctuates with that as well as the economy. And tumultuous political times, I see that reflected in homeowners willingness to commit resources to the health of their trees.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I began my career in the tree care industry back in college when I had been moving from major to major undecided on my path. I began in business, then philosophy, then physics and landed in forestry eventually graduating from CSU with a degree in forest biology focusing on plant physiology and pathology. Dismayed and discouraged at the lack of prospects in academia and government research I realized that if I wanted to pursue my passion of working WITH trees rather than under fluorescent lights and a concrete building writing grant proposals all day, I would need to move into private industry.

I began working for a fort Collins base company as their plant healthcare technician, but was constantly crossing my ethical boundaries with how the industry uses pesticides. I shifted my focus into training to be a tree climber and arborist. I moved to Boulder with my wife so she could complete her master’s degree and began working with a local company. I was let go from this position after taking 2 weeks off for my honeymoon, and when I returned to work I found that they had filled my position and I was no longer needed. This gave me the motivation and momentum to begin my own business.

When I was in high school my dad lost his job following 9/11 and the subsequent recession. He started a window washing to see us through difficult times, and taught me that self-motivation can create success. Immediately I saw that I could make more than three times what I would earn at my job as a server at a restaurant if I worked with him to build that business. After working together through high school and into my college years he eventually found another career path and I took over the window washing business. I continued to grow the business, but knew that it wasn’t my passion and long-term path.

When I was let go from my climbing job in Boulder following my honeymoon I knew that I had the foundation and the skill set needed to begin my own business. I began subcontracting as a climber for other local companies, but soon recognize that much of the work they produced was not grounded in science or plant physiology. This gave me the motivation to begin advertising my business to the general public.

I began using HomeAdvisor, a platform connecting homeowners with local service providers, and while extremely expensive, I found that if I could speak to clients about their trees they would soon see my passion and that would lead to me earning their trust to manage the health of their trees. My business began slow, but my needs were minimal, and I could enjoy time off with my wife while still earning more than I ever made working for another company.

As my family and needs grew, so did my business, and over the years we have evolved into a small but sustainable and profitable business focusing on respect for the trees, clients, environment, and our team. The trees are my true clients, and their owners may change over time, but the real pleasure of this business I have built is watching the trees grow into resilient long live individuals each with their own story

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Tree health is what matters most, and I always work to promote the health of a tree even when I may potentially earn more money if I were to recommend say a removal rather than a management plan to maintain or promote tree health.

I have always valued committing my resources to people rather than equipment, and while that has sometimes creative challenges, I believe that as our world shifts more towards automation providing sustainable and reliable jobs to talented individuals is far more rewarding.

I always see the focus of business as grow grow grow, but my philosophy has always been to remain small enough to continue to provide quality and excellence in an industry that produces a broad spectrum of results, generally based on knowledge, commitment, and care.

Pricing:

• We are very competitive as far as pricing goes, especially considering the results we produce.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rootsandshootstreecare.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootsandshootstreecare?utm_source=qr

Image Credits
Sam Williams