Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Summa
Hi Matt, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always enjoyed art and have been passionate about nature. These interests inspired me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Georgia. Immediately after graduating in 2012, I hiked the Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia with a close friend from college, taking me 5 months to complete. After reaching Springer Mountain in Georgia, it was at this time I took my first job as an environmental designer in Atlanta, working for a small design/build firm in Norcross called Oasis. I was finally able to put what I learned in school to use, learning much more in the field dealing with actual clients and properties while running into challenges and real-world situations. After about 4 years at Oasis, I moved to Jacksonville Beach where I continue my landscape career at another small design/build firm called Rockaway. In 2020, it was time to come home, and I began working at Lifescapes out of Marietta. I grew close with the crew and crew leader, Bersain Matus. When I found out that Lifescapes was to shut it’s doors at the end of 2024, I knew this was my chance to open my own outfit. I was able to acquire trucks, tools, and equipment from Lifescapes, and my loyal crew decided to take the chance with me, with an unknown future at hand. February marks our second month as an operating LLC, and I am beyond grateful for the opportunity.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
While there were moments of a smooth road, my journey has been littered with trials and tribulations. At times, the work dried up and I was forced to walk door to door, handing out business cards in attempt to promote my new company. A couple builders that I built close relationships with along the way have helped fill in the gaps in our schedule with clients and jobs, keeping my crew busy, allowing them to put food on the table for their families. In addition, starting a new company with all the fees and expenses has not been easy. Luckily, we have made it through the formation period and have everything in place to operate legally in the state of Georgia. Juggling my personal life with its own struggles, along with the company, has taught me to stay focused on the positive, always expecting hardships to present themselves along the way. These hardships have only encouraged my drive and motivation for success.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At Summit Landscape Co., we specialize in anything “landscape install”, ranging from hard-scapes like walls, patios, outdoor kitchens, fire pits, and concrete/masonry work, to plantings, sod, irrigation, outdoor lighting, and grading. The process starts with a hand drawn landscape plan, followed by a proposal detailing our plan to complete the scope of work. We take pride in our ability to provide a plan that gels with the goals and design taste of the client, whether it is more of a classic design with clean lines and native plants or a natural/picturesque design using a variety of plant material that appears to have been taken right out of nature’s playbook. The design process comes down to the likes and interests of the client, with my own twists and turns to add interest and uniqueness to their property. In addition, our crew takes so much pride in their work, they don’t leave a job site until everything is perfect and clean. The attention to detail in terms of design and installation sets us apart from others, putting us in a league of our own. Our quality, care, and customer service is unmatched in the industry.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
It is important to connect with as many people and industry professionals as possible, whether that is potential clients, vendors, builders, and/or other landscape companies. The more connections one has, the more doors open in terms of possibilities. At Summit, we have found a handful of builders that are familiar with our quality and craftsmanship, confident that we will provide a beautiful landscape install time after time. Being honest, fair, and always available when a client needs something has set us apart from the rest. It’s all about forming sincere and long lasting relationships, for when a client trusts and respects what you do, the work will always present itself and find its way to you. In terms of finding a mentor, it’s important to find someone that shares the same morals, values and care for the client. I have multiple mentors that I look up to and have learned lots from, all of which operate their companies with the same level of interest in providing the best product and service possible.
Pricing:
- Hand Drawn Design: $250-$1250 (depending on size and scope)
- Sod: $1100/pallet (installed)
- Irrigation: $1250/zone (installed)
- Lighting: $230/fixture (installed)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.summitlandscapecollc.com
- Instagram: @Summit_Landscape_Co
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569149948157
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-summa-63bb34102/
Image Credits
Matt Summa
