Today we’d like to introduce you to PHILLIP.
Hi PHILLIP, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started Handsome Lawn Service in 2016 with one truck, one mower, and a simple idea: treat people right, and they’ll treat you right.
For the first few years, I was doing most of the work myself. My first employee was my nephew, Caleb, who was just 13 years old at the time. He taught me something important early on – if you believe in someone and give them an opportunity, they’ll step up. That foundation shaped everything that came after.
As we grew, I brought on Damien Houran – my first crew leader. Damien helped establish what Handsome is about: showing up, doing quality work, and respecting the opportunity.
I continued building the team with guys like Trey (my son-in-law), Humberto, Felipe, and Justin. Over time, I stopped chasing growth and started building culture. I created something I call The Silent Agreement – an unspoken understanding with my crew. I provide fair pay on time, all the equipment, and a clear path to raises. In return, they show up, do the work, communicate honestly, and respect the opportunity.
It’s black and white. No complexity. No corporate BS.
Even now, 10 years later, Damien comes back when we need him. That tells you everything about the culture we’ve built.
We’re celebrating our 10th anniversary approaching nearly $1 million in annual revenue. But the number isn’t what I’m most proud of. It’s the people. Humberto and Felipe have been with me for three years. Justin leads crews. Trey is my Chief of Operations. These are people who’ve built something with me.
The lesson I’ve learned: You can’t scale a business without the right people. And you can’t keep the right people without treating them like they matter.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not smooth. The hardest part of building Handsome wasn’t the landscaping work – it was finding and keeping the right people.
In the early years, I made the mistake of being too nice. I’d hire someone, they’d work for a few weeks, then disappear. No notice. No explanation. Just gone. I went through dozens of people trying to figure out what I was doing wrong. Eventually, I realized the problem wasn’t me – it was that I was hiring the wrong people to begin with.
That’s when I developed The Silent Agreement. It became a filter. It separated the people who actually wanted to work from the ones who just wanted a paycheck. Once I got clear on my expectations and stopped compromising on integrity, the crew stabilized.
Facility challenges were another big one. We were operating out of a space managed by someone who didn’t care about his tenants. Three-day water outages. Rat infestations. Constant broken promises. Eventually, I moved to a new location in Kennedale, which was the right call – but it cost time and money to make that transition.
The grind itself is real. Year 5 felt impossible. Year 7 almost broke me. Growing a business while managing crew drama, client demands, equipment issues, and personal life – it never stops.
But every obstacle taught me something. The hiring failures taught me that culture matters more than headcount. The facility problems taught me to trust my gut and move when something isn’t working. The grind taught me that consistency beats intensity.
The obstacle I’m still working on: Scaling sustainably. How do I hit $1 million in revenue without burning out the crew or myself? That’s the challenge right now.
As you know, we’re big fans of Handsome Lawn Service. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
About Handsome Lawn Service
Handsome Lawn Service is a full-service landscaping, hardscaping, and outdoor lighting company based in Kennedale, Texas. We serve Arlington, Kennedale, Pantego, and Dalworthington Gardens.
What We Do
We handle everything from routine lawn maintenance and mowing to complete landscape design, hardscaping projects, sod installation, mulching, and custom outdoor lighting. We work with both residential and HOA clients, and we pride ourselves on being reliable contractors who actually show up and deliver what we promise.
What Sets Us Apart
Most landscaping companies blend into the background. Not us. We have a distinct black-and-white brand identity that’s instantly recognizable. But more importantly, we’re known for reliability and quality. In an industry where flakiness is the norm, we show up on time, we do the work right, and we communicate honestly with our clients.
Our crew is stable. We have people who’ve been with us for years because we treat them fairly and give them a path forward. That stability translates to consistency for our clients.
What I’m Most Proud Of
Our 10-year track record. We’re celebrating our 10th anniversary this year and approaching $1 million in annual revenue – but the revenue isn’t what matters most to me. It’s the relationships we’ve built with clients who trust us, and the crew members who’ve chosen to build their careers with Handsome.
I’m also proud of The Silent Agreement – the culture we’ve created. It’s simple: we provide fair pay, all equipment, and opportunity. In return, our crew shows up, does quality work, and respects the opportunity. That’s black and white.
What We Want Our Readers to Know
If you’re looking for a landscaping company that actually cares about your property and will follow through on their commitments, Handsome is for you. We don’t make excuses. We don’t cut corners. We show up early, we work hard, and we leave your property better than we found it.
And if you’re looking to join a company where hard work actually gets rewarded and your voice matters – where you’re not just a number – we’re hiring.
Stay Handsome.
What matters most to you? Why?
What Matters Most to Me
Family and integrity. Those two things underpin everything I do.
Family – I’ve been with my partner Kristen for 15 years. I have my daughter Zoe, my son-in-law Trey who works with me, and my grandson Marshall. Everything I’ve built with Handsome is so I can provide for them and spend time with them – not so I can work 24/7 grinding for money.
Integrity – My word has to mean something. When I tell someone I’ll pay them on time, I do it. When I tell a client their job will be done right, it will be. When I tell my crew they have a path to $22-27/hour if they perform, that path is real. You can’t build anything of value without integrity.
Why This Matters
I grew up watching people make promises they didn’t keep. Bosses who said one thing and did another. Business owners who treated their employees like disposable labor. I decided early on that Handsome would be different.
The Silent Agreement isn’t some HR policy I created. It’s my personal commitment to doing business the right way – treating people fairly, being honest, and building something that lasts.
The Real Measure
Success to me isn’t hitting a million dollars. It’s that Humberto and Felipe have been with me three years and are making real money. It’s that Trey sent me a text saying this company has brought the best out of him. It’s that my nephew Caleb – who started at 13 – learned what hard work and respect actually mean.
That’s what matters most. The money follows when you get those things right.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.handsomelawnservice.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handsomelawnservice/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089162361845
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillipvanarsdel/
