Today we’d like to introduce you to Corey Ritchie.
Hi Corey, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey in landscaping really started long before it became a business. Growing up, my father made sure I cut the grass at home in Decatur, and that responsibility stayed with me. When I bought my first house, I continued doing my own lawn care cutting the grass, trimming bushes, and keeping everything looking good.. Neighbors began noticing the care I put into my yard, and even while I was working as a truck driver, I started doing part-time lawn work in the neighborhood to earn extra income. I was young, had the energy, and enjoyed the work.
In 2000, I officially started my first landscaping business, Suburban Lawn Care. I chose the name simply because I was pulling my trailer with a Suburban at the time. I had my own equipment, a trailer, and a growing client base. Over time, the business evolved, and around 2005 I rebranded as CR Landscaping Inc., expanding into landscaping, hardscaping, and HOA maintenance.
The business operated steadily until the housing market crash in 2008, which hit Atlanta especially hard. As homeowners stopped spending on landscaping and hardscaping projects, revenue declined quickly. By 2009, I made the difficult decision to close the business and return full-time to the trucking industry.
For years after that, I worked in trucking both over the road and locally trying to find stability and remain close to home. In July 2021, my life took a major turn when I was involved in a serious trucking accident after falling asleep behind the wheel. My son was riding with me at the time, and while we survived, it was a frightening wake-up call. That accident led my family to strongly encourage me to stop driving trucks.
Just a few months later, in October 2021, I lost my father to COVID. That year marked one of the most challenging seasons of my life, and I found myself dealing with grief and a quiet depression.
One of the ways I worked through that period was by turning to social media not for business, but for healing. I began posting something positive every day on Facebook—short messages, encouragement, perspective. What started as a personal outlet became a daily habit that helped me process loss and regain purpose. Sharing positivity helped me heal, and it also began resonating with others.
I continued posting because it felt meaningful.
In 2022 and 2023, I explored a new path as a freight agent through a brokerage mentorship program. While I did well, I eventually realized I missed being active, outdoors, and working with my hands.
In 2024, after parting ways with that company, I found myself at another crossroads. Around that same time, while driving through the Gwinnett County area, I came across a backpack leaf blower on the side of the road. I turned around and picked it up, went home, and told my wife I was going to start cutting grass again. With limited equipment, no trailer, and just determination, I began knocking on doors, renting a small U-Haul trailer, and servicing lawns using my Yukon Denali.
That restart became the foundation for rebuilding my landscaping business.
Also in 2024, I officially launched The Countdown with Corey, building on the same daily positivity that had helped me through my father’s passing but now with clearer direction and purpose. Alongside Landscaping 3000, I continue creating motivational and reflective content focused on growth, resilience, and forward movement.
Now, entering 2026, I’m operating both businesses with clarity and gratitude. Every chapter early lessons from my father, setbacks, restarts, and personal loss has shaped where I am today. Everything I’m building now is done one step at a time, brick by brick.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it has not been a smooth road .In the beginning real struggles no customers no capital no equipment and a lot of uncertainty. My kids were 16 and 10 and both was into sports. So thing got tight figuring how to do everything and make everything work out without going crazy. Along the way I learned to take small steps and not to compare myself to other companies. I focused on being honest and dependable. In my mind I was like let me just survive the year. My name and reputation grew. Grateful for my wife for being so much to me in those times
As you know, we’re big fans of Landscaping 3000. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Landscaping 3000 is built on reliability, attention to detail, and respect for our clients’ time. I believe in showing up when we say we’re going to show up, doing the job right the first time, and treating every property as if it were our own.
What started as a chore on the east side of Atlanta when I was a kid my father making me cut the grass and do yard work eventually turned into a passion. Over the years, that passion has taught me the value of building solid relationships, treating people fairly, and doing honest work.
Landscaping 3000 primarily serves homeowners, with a small but growing commercial sector. Our goal is simple, earn our customers’ trust, build long term relationships, and deliver dependable service every single visit.
Landscaping 3000 is driven by design, grounded in community.
You should know that Landscaping 3000 is a relationship first business. We don’t chase quick jobs we focus on long term trust. For me, that means clear communication, fair pricing, and doing what we say we are going to do, even when no one is watching. As you get older you realize what’s really important your word and your name.
I understand that a home is personal, and inviting someone onto your property requires confidence. That’s why we take pride in being dependable, respectful, and consistent. Our customers know who’s showing up, what to expect, and that their property will be treated with respectfully.
At the end of the day, our reputation matters more than volume. We’re here to serve our community, grow the right way, and earn our place as a landscaping company people confidently recommend.
We offer lawn maintenance and landscaping services including routine property upkeep, landscape installations, retaining wall, renovations, backyard transformation, planting and curb appeal.
Specialize in sod sod installation and backyard renovations, helping homeowners transform and refresh their outdoor spaces.
We are known for sod installations and create and maintain outdoor spaces that are both beautiful and low maintenances
What truly set Landscaping 3000 apart is our commitment to reliability, relationships and consistency. I operate with a relationship first mindset. It’s our dependability, communication and integrity that keep customers coming back.
I am proud of Landscaping 3000 because what is more Atlanta than 3000.
My brand is Atlanta. I grew up here. So naming my company Landscaping 3000 its bigger than business it represents home
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I believe risk and reward go hand in hand. Any meaningful step forward requires taking a chance, and I’ve taken some major risks.
One of the biggest was starting over at 47 years old in an industry that demands real physical effort. I dropped everything, picked up a backpack blower I found on the side of the road, and told my wife I was going to start cutting grass and do landscaping again with no clients, no trailer, and no big equipment.
At that age, taking on manual labor wasn’t an easy decision. But I believed in betting on myself. I started knocking on doors, cutting grass, and building relationships one yard at a time. That willingness to work and start from scratch is how Landscaping 3000 was built and it’s still the mindset that drives the business today.
My perspective on risk is simple. We all get one life one lap around this journey. Once it’s over, its over. Because of that, I believe every stage of life requires taking risks in order to move forward.
When you take a risk, you’re really opening a bigger door and choosing to walk through it. The word risk itself isn’t the scary part. What makes it feel risky is when people don’t believe in themselves enough to take that step.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.landscaping3000.com
- Instagram: landscaping_3000
- Facebook: Landscaping 3000
- Youtube: @Landscaping 3000
