Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Bauer.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
After running large corporate tree companies for 17 years, I decided to get back to the basics of the trees and client relations so I created Arbor Equity. I chose the name, as Arbor is Latin for tree and Equity is defined as fair and impartial. Meaning that the tree is the patient to us and all our recommendations are based upon the tree no other outside influences. It keeps us impartial in making recommendations. Our focus is on large tree preservation. Obviously, removals are part of our job, but we run at about 35% removals, the rest of our services are pruning, cabling, lightning protection, plant health care, fertilization, and tree replacement. We strive to try and keep trees longer while maintaining safety. We cover the east side of Atlanta to Augusta and beyond. I have striven to always make sure there is work so we have residential, commercial, municipal and golf course.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been the easiest. We have dealt with a truck fire early in the start that lost all of our equipment.
We’ve had our fair share of employee turnover as tree work is not for everyone. There was the Augusta Ice Storm of 2014 and we held the city tree contract there, it was at that moment we had to choose did we want to stay a small company or grow and put the pieces in place to make sure we could achieve all client expectations.
We’ve made adjustments all along the way, canceled family trips, dealt with clients on Sunday mornings as trees are through their roof. I was given advice once that “no one will work harder for your company than you.”
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Arbor Equity – what should we know?
We are an arboriculture company. Whereas a tree company focuses on only pruning and removals, we focus on tree preservation. We look at the tree and landscape as a whole, not just a single issue. We want long term clients and even if the property sells we want to still be taking care of “our patients”, the trees.
Obviously, the trees can’t come to us so we have to go to them. We do client property inspections even without clients calling just to ensure the safety of their investment. We are not flashy with big billboards; our business was built solely on word of mouth and referrals. To date we have done work in GA, SC, NC, AL, Fla, VA and NY all due to word of mouth that we are the experts in tree preservation. I am a Board Certified Master Arborist and one of only about 1o in Georgia and 600 in the world. We take care of many specimen trees in GA on some of the nicest properties, but what really excites me now is seeing people I’ve hired and inspired to become arborists. We have created a company with benefits and good pay and families are living off what we provide. We wanted both the clients and employees to have great experiences with us. We have operations located in Covington, Lake Oconee and Augusta.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Early on in the company, I started dating my wife Mandy and she started working part-time with the company. When the Augusta Ice Storm of 14 hit she came full time and never looked back. She is now the VP of the company dealing with Human Resources and the corporation side of things which leaves me to be out with the clients, employees and trees more. She is truly the back bone holding me and the company together. We have built a team here at Arbor Equity and everyone, good or bad, that has come along has helped shape who we are today. The company is almost 7 years old and we have employees who have almost 5 years tenure with us. I have a true network of arborists all over the country that I get to bounce ideas off. And I have three children Presley, Wyatt and Miley who inspire me to provide a great life. When I changed my major in college my father asked me if “Can you make a career at being an arborist?” and I’m proud to say after 24 years of doing it, yes, I can.
Contact Info:
- Address: 713 Dixie Road
Covington, GA 30014 - Website: www.arborequityinc.com
- Phone: 770-724-2772
- Email: dbauer@arborequityinc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arbor_equity
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arborequity/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/arborequity
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/arborequity
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