At Stangl’s Enviro Lawn Care, our journey from conventional to regenerative practices has not only been about environmental stewardship but also about building a sustainable business model. Since the inception of our shift towards regeneration, we’ve focused on making these practices not just ecologically sound but also economically viable.
Business Model Evolution: Initially, our business model was centered around the sale of chemical inputs, much like the industry standard. However, as we transitioned to regenerative lawn care, we’ve pivoted towards a service-based model where the health of the soil and the lawn’s ecosystem takes precedence. This shift has allowed us to differentiate ourselves in the market, offering a premium service that aligns with growing consumer demand for sustainability.
Cost-Effectiveness through Innovation: One of the key innovations has been the development of in-house biomass testing. By investing in our own laboratory equipment and training, we’ve reduced the costs associated with outsourcing soil analysis. This not only cuts down on expenses but also allows us to provide quicker, more tailored services to our clients. Our approach with Nature’s Brew involves seven applications from April to October, one per growing month, which allows us to monitor and address changes in the soil and plant health month to month. Additionally, we create our own extracts by combining ingredients ourselves, a process that has become more streamlined and cost-effective over the past 20 years as sourcing these materials has become easier. This model not only makes our business more frequent and engaged with our clients’ properties but also significantly reduces our operational costs. As a result, we can produce healthier soil, lawns, and gardens, minimizing the negative impacts typically associated with traditional fertilizer and spray programs. Our method also reduces the need for additional treatments or upsells due to issues like insect infestations, disease, heat stress, and drought damage, fostering a more sustainable and resilient landscape.
Long-term Savings for Clients: Clients benefit from long-term savings as the need for chemical interventions decreases. Regenerative practices like ours reduce the dependency on expensive synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, which often require repeated applications. Over time, the soil health improves, leading to less need for external inputs, translating into significant savings for our clients. Additionally, our emphasis on soil biology helps in reducing water usage due to improved soil structure, which further cuts down on costs related to irrigation.
Scalability: Our model is scalable because it’s based on principles that can be applied across different sizes of lawns, from residential to commercial properties. By standardizing our approach with Nature’s Brew and incorporating practices like overseeding and aeration, we ensure consistency in service delivery. The scalability is also supported by our educational initiatives, which help spread the understanding and demand for regenerative lawn care, allowing us to expand our business reach without compromising on our core values.
