From Landscaper to Tech Entrepreneur: Brandon Comstock's Journey
In a recent episode of the Landscape Ontario Podcast, host Karina Sinclair sat down with Brandon Comstock, a Calgary-based entrepreneur who has built not one, but two successful landscape-related businesses. His story showcases how identifying and solving everyday problems can lead to innovative solutions for an entire industry.
Starting from the Ground Up
Brandon's journey began without formal education – leaving high school before completing grade 12, he jumped straight into landscaping with his father's company. "I didn't really do any landscaping before that," Brandon recalls. "He kind of just threw me to the wolves a little bit with maintenance."
This hands-on experience proved invaluable, as Brandon learned both the trade and business operations from the ground up. After eight years working in his father's company, he took a bold step to forge his own path, founding Landscapers by Nature (LBN).
Finding His Niche
What sets Brandon's approach apart is his laser focus on specialization. LBN exclusively serves condominium complexes, handling their maintenance and snow removal needs. As Brandon explains, "I really like to focus on doing one thing really really well." This strategic focus has paid off – today, LBN employs 50 people and continues to grow.
From Problem to Solution
While running LBN, Brandon noticed a common challenge in tracking enhancement projects and customer requests outside regular maintenance contracts. This led to the creation of Issue ID, a software solution that helps landscape companies manage site-specific tasks and opportunities.
"Traditionally we would send an estimate through LMN which we love, but the estimates would just die in the inbox of the customer and you know we'd kind of forget about them too," Brandon shares. Issue ID helps companies track these opportunities and turn them into profitable projects.
Building Strong Teams
One of the most impressive aspects of Brandon's success is his ability to build and retain strong teams. His approach to hiring focuses on finding people who align with the company's vision and pass what he calls the "beer and barbecue test" – would you want to have them over for a social gathering?
"Eventually you just have like a critical mass of great people in your company and they edit out the bad people very very quickly," Brandon notes. This culture-first approach has helped LBN maintain long-term staff, with some team members staying for over eight years.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Brandon's key advice for those starting their journey? "The biggest impacts that I've had have been from the people that I surrounded myself with," he emphasizes. He recommends joining peer groups, attending industry conferences, and connecting with other business owners who are on similar paths.
His story demonstrates that success doesn't always require formal education – it requires drive, willingness to learn from mistakes, and the courage to bet on yourself. As Brandon puts it, "The journey has been more difficult than I expected... but it's also been more rewarding."
For landscape professionals looking to innovate or start their own ventures, Brandon's journey from hands-on landscaper to tech entrepreneur shows that solutions to industry challenges can come from anywhere – you just need to be willing to take that first step.
