Community Highlights: Meet Shawn Thompson of IHS Landscaping & Maintenance

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawn Thompson.

Hi Shawn, I’m so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed with your story and how you got to where you are today.
As a little boy, growing up on my parents’ farm in Denmark, TN, I’ve never been a stranger to hard work. Whether it was tossing hay bales at 8 years old, helping my father erect a brand-new barn, or fixing appliances around the house for my mother and aunts, working with my hands became a part of who I was early on. 

The men in my family taught me a vast array of life lessons, but more than anything, I learned a love of God, the importance of family, and the immense freedom that came from taking your career into your own hands. I was surrounded by landowners and business owners, and growing up with that foundation birthed in me the desire to own my business doing what I both knew and loved best: fixing what’s broken. 

To that end, I found myself working for a Tech Support company after college. I not only enjoyed that position but thrived in it, because even though I wasn’t necessarily using my hands, I was still helping people fix their stuff. Inwardly, I knew I wanted to go into business for myself, but realistically, I figured I had a good 2-3 years before I’d be in the position to do it full-time. I was doing little handyman side jobs here and there for friends and associates I’d met in the city, but I knew my Tech Support Position was my bread and butter…until COVID happened. 

Someone much smarter than me once said, “If you wanna make God laugh, tell Him your plans!” Well, I told God that I wanted to wait 2-3 years before launching out on my own, and as the saying goes, He laughed in my face! However, getting laid off due to COVID forced me to embark on a journey that was truly going to leave me trusting God to order my steps. 

My handyman “side hustle” became the basket that I laid all of my eggs in at the beginning of 2019 and from that day to this one, I’ve not looked back. I fully believe that God is the cornerstone of all aspects of our lives. He preordains our steps before we’re even born. I know I’ve been led by our Father in Heaven to impact lives through the works of my hands. Jesus was a carpenter, and my middle name is David, who, in the Old Testament, God called “a man after His own heart.” 

IHS (In His Steps) Landscaping & Maintenance was born of those two things. With my work, it is my eager hope to follow in my Savior’s footsteps as I strive to be a man after God’s own heart. With a central theme of Faith, Hard Work, and Integrity, I proudly steward this company as I continue to walk, as best I can, in His steps. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Has this been easy? Absolutely not. Like most businesses, landscaping and maintenance work has ebbs and flows. Though I love all aspects of this business, remember, I’m a country boy at heart. I love doing the work, but the business side of it can definitely at times feel like bumps in my road. Managing my time/appointments, learning how to value myself enough to price my services appropriately, and making the necessary investments into the business to legitimize it have been some of my biggest lessons along the way. 

Working for almost a full day only to have a customer look me in the eyes and refuse to pay me taught me the value of service fees/deposits. Losing clients due to double booking taught me the value of a scheduling system and hearing a customer’s hard but honest feedback about my company confirmed that I needed to do a more professional rebrand. So, there have been struggles, there have been definite bumps and potholes in the road, but I don’t see it as “the good and the bad,” but rather “the good and the learning.” 

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
IHS or (In His Steps) Landscaping & Maintenance is a maintenance, repair, and landscaping company that services Middle Tennessee and close surrounding areas. Services we specialize in are TV Mounting, Interior Painting, Appliance Repair, Gutter Cleaning, Pressure Washing, Indoor/Outdoor Assembly, Drywall Repair, Camera/Security Install and Set-up, Mulch, Tree Trimming, Weeding, and more! 

I always tell my prospective customers, that if you don’t see a service listed, just ask! I take exceptional pride in my work, and nothing pleases me more than a good review and a repeat customer! When someone is satisfied enough to book me again and tell their friends, then I know that’s a job well done! My customers do feel like family to me, and I go out of my way to make their service appointments as sweatless as possible for them. That’s why I love to say, “IHS Landscaping & Maintenance provides help in a hurry, so you don’t have to worry!” 

Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I’ve always loved nature! Growing up in the country gave me the best childhood any child could dream of! I had acres of land at my disposal to run, jump, play in the dirt, cut down sugar cane with my handmade katana, and roam the farm with my cousins and friends. 

But amidst all of that freedom and open air, some of my best memories are the times of quiet when I could find a spot to myself and peacefully disassemble my toys, just to put them back together again. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ihsmaintenanceco.simplybook.me
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ihs_maintenance
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InHisStepsLM