From Mowers to Magazine Covers: The Stephens Brothers' Rise in Landscaping

In this episode of TradesTalk, Justin sits down with brothers John and Mark Stephens, co-founders of Stephens Landscaping Professionals, to talk about how two teenagers with a mower turned their passion into a professionally recognized business featured in Lawn and Landscape Magazine’s January 2025 cover story.

The story starts in high school, where their parents handed them a commercial mower. What began as a family chore grew into an entrepreneurial drive; John took a business class project seriously, designing early flyers with tear-off tabs, logos, and door-to-door marketing. Together, the brothers combined grassroots hustle with a long-term vision.

They discuss their bold decision to pitch themselves to Lawn and Landscape years before getting featured, their standout branding (black trucks, polished logo), and how media exposure helped expand their reach and attract top talent. They also share how annual planning, strategic storytelling, and professional branding set them apart in a crowded industry.

This episode is about more than landscaping, it’s about vision, follow-through, and building a company that gets noticed.