Phil Simas, owner of Jose & Sons Landscaping, began his business journey about four years ago with nothing more than a lawnmower and access to his father’s pickup truck. After briefly working for a landscaping company, he struck out on his own, knocking on doors in his neighborhood and slowly building a customer base through word of mouth.
“The business really started with me just cutting grass,” Phil says. “I didn’t even own a truck at the time, but I knew the quality of work I could provide and just kept going, one yard at a time.”
The approach paid off. As he gained more customers and started turning a profit, Phil was able to put that money back into his business. He purchased lawn equipment and a truck, and eventually obtained his hydraulic equipment license.
Positive word of mouth and brand visibility have been vital to Jose & Sons’ growth. One of their first commercial customers was someone who had simply seen the team working in the neighborhood. “They saw us, saw the trucks, and called us,” Phil explains. “Then one business told another, and it just kept going.” A reputation for reliability and quality has helped the company grow to approximately 70 weekly accounts for lawn maintenance alone.
Phil was able to take his business to the next level by expanding its service offerings. Today, in addition to lawn maintenance and landscaping, Jose & Sons also provides snow removal, asphalt driveway installation, and hardscape services—including patios, pavers, and stamped concrete. The introduction of these additional services marked a turning point for the business. “Once people saw the big jobs we could handle, they were surprised,” says Phil. “That kind of work really pushed us forward.”
Much of Phil’s hands on knowledge comes from working alongside his father growing up. His experience operating heavy equipment, coupled with his hydraulic license, keeps him heavily involved in the business’s daily operations, especially the hardscape jobs.
Today, Jose & Sons has five full-time employees, with Phil leading from the field and his father helping out when he can. “I like to be at as many jobs as I can,” Phil says. “I want to make sure everything gets done to my standards and that the customer is happy with the result.”
Phil takes pride not only in the work itself, but in creating employment opportunities within the local community and being a supportive, reliable employer. He believes the key to his company’s success is simple: Do great work and go above and beyond every time. That commitment, paired with strategic social media marketing, has helped elevate the Jose & Sons brand.
Jose & Sons Landscaping has also benefited from a strong banking partnership with BankFive. After meeting Small Business Relationship Manager Ashley Branco at BankFive’s County Street branch in New Bedford, Phil moved his business accounts to BankFive and appreciated hands on support with payroll setup and day to day banking. “No matter the time, Ashley is always there to help me,” Phil says. “If there’s a problem, BankFive figures it out right away. I don’t have to worry.”
As for the next stage of the game, Phil hopes to expand the company’s asphalt services, and purchase his own garage and shop. There are also plans for continued hiring, equipment investments, and overall long term growth.
BankFive is proud to support Jose & Sons Landscaping and their impact on our local economy and community. From expert landscaping to beautiful outdoor transformations, their team is committed to quality craftsmanship and customer satisfaction. Learn more about Jose & Sons Landscaping on Facebook.