Community Highlights: Meet Joe Shearer of Shady Landscaping LLC and Griswold Illumination

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joe Shearer.

Hi Joe, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started doing landscaping at 18 part time. This led to a full-time position. I gained experience, certifications and additional licensing in this field. I moved to Nashville in 2010. I’d worked for a tree and landscape company as their Residential Landscape Manager. I got hired at the Grand Ole Opry in 2014 with their horticulture team. I worked up to the department supervisor. I had begun Shady Landscaping unofficially as a weekend/afterhours job for residential clients I had from previous work relations. Upon the pandemic of 2020, I went full time with Shady Landscaping. 5 years later now, and Shady Landscaping is maintaining the Opry.

Griswold Illumination is our sister company. This began in 2022. I have always had a love and passion for holidays and all the decor that went into it. I was informed by a sales manager at a local landscape supply store there was a market for this. I felt with my lighting experience with the Opry; this was a no brainer. We began doing homes but now do the lighting at the Grand Ole Opry House and have also done notable places like General Mills and the WEMA Emergency stations as well. We’ve been featured in Lebanon City Lifestyle and on news channel 5.

I reside in Lebanon TN with my wife of 6 years Joelene and our 2 boys Noah and Elias. I like plants and I like Christmas lights. But I love being a dad. It’s the only job I couldn’t live without getting to do.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No one can ever predict a pandemic. That changed everything and pushed me into taking Shady Landscaping full time. I always say this is how God pushed me in the pool. It was time to make the leap of faith. As with many small businesses, the labor factor is always difficult. There’s a fine balance paying someone fairly doing physical work in the elements while still remaining reasonably priced and competitive.

As you know, we’re big fans of Shady Landscaping LLC and Griswold Illumination . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We are a sole propritor LLC not a nationwide mega corporation. We are also not weekend warriors who have other unrelated full time jobs. This is what we do. I have 2 sons who are 3 and 1. I joke that they are the CEO and COO because really, they’re in charge of everything.

Our logo and brand was created by my nephew, Alex. He had a graphic design class in high school. His project was creating a logo for a company. He asked if he could do one for me. I was very impressed with how it turned out so I’ve used it ever since. We tied the sunglasses into our Griswold logo so the connection could be made that we are related while still standing apart. I always want to use a catchy name so it’s easy to remember. I’ve been told this is true on both accounts.

We are pretty full in the landscape business but we do have some room for growth with the Christmas lights. I’d like to push that more as the focus here. With our company, we are a hired service. We bring all the materials needed, we install everything, we maintain everything, we remove everything and then store it all also. No work required by the client what so ever other than directing what needs to be done and where. I feel holidays are busy enough. This is one less thing to have to worry with if we can take 100% of this burden on for you.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Never loose your faith. I know some say luck plays into things or coincidence. I can’t look back at a kid in small town Pennsylvania to a 2 business owner in Nashville and not know without a doubt God had led this journey. Through pandemics, labor difficulties, and every struggles of locating materials and keeping things maintained and moving, you have to lean into something bigger than yourself. I couldn’t have possibly done this on my own and I’m so thankful I didn’t have to.

Contact Info:

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