Small Businesses – The Backbone of Our Industry

Through AGZA Certification, small businesses are changing the paradigm of landscape maintenance operations by transitioning to practical, low-impact approaches.

The American Green Zone Alliance (AGZA) recently visited Dana Versola, owner of Versola’s Landscape Maintenance Services. Nearly five years ago, Dana reached out to AGZA looking for practical guidance on how to electrify his business and build a low-impact landscape maintenance operation through AGZA Service Pro Certification®.

Since then, AGZA has provided workforce training, facilitated “Try Before You Buy” equipment evaluations, and independently verified Versola’s successful implementation of electric operations currently rated at AGZA Green Zone Level 2 standards.

For companies like Versola’s, the latest artificial intelligence platforms and autonomous mowers costing $60,000 to $100,000 each are simply not the right fit. Their customers value dependable service, personal relationships, consistent quality, and affordability, not necessarily the newest or most advanced technology. For these small businesses, the most effective path forward is often practical, proven equipment and operational solutions that match their workloads, budgets, and the needs of the customers they serve.

Today, Dana provides traditional landscape maintenance and installation services using commercial battery-electric equipment, including 21-inch walk-behind mowers, backpack and handheld leaf blowers, string trimmers, hedge trimmers, stick edgers, pole saws, chainsaws, and an assortment of hand tools.

His business demonstrates that professional, high-quality landscape maintenance can be delivered profitably with significantly lower noise and emissions while maintaining productivity, reliability, and level of service customers expect.

Dana is a family man with a strong sense of purpose. He prioritizes providing for his family, supporting his employees, and serving his customers with integrity.

Supporting Small Businesses

Across the United States, AGZA helps hundreds of small landscape companies quietly transforming the profession. They don’t have multimillion-dollar marketing budgets. They aren’t receiving truckloads of complimentary equipment or serving as paid ambassadors for the latest technologies and brands.

Most never receive industry recognition. Instead, they earn their reputation one property at a time. We should all make sure these companies and businesses are recognized for their contribution to our industry and economy.

We want to thank AFTC manufacturer STIHL, which has consistently provided AGZA-trained and certified small businesses with support, including cost reductions on tools, batteries, and PPE. Along with various battery-electric cost-reduction programs, AGZA strives to ensure small businesses like Versola’s can access opportunities and industry recognition similar to larger companies and institutional operations.

We want to encourage other manufacturers to work with AGZA and find ways to support our industry’s small businesses. AGZA’s growing network of Service Pro Certified companies shows that scalable environmental progress isn’t exclusive to the largest organizations. It often starts with hardworking local businesses committed to doing the right thing for their customers, employees, and communities.

These companies are lowering neighborhood noise, reducing smog-forming emissions, improving worker health, and enhancing quality of life, all while operating profitable businesses built on professionalism and reliability.

Watch a short clip of Dana in action: