Sitting down with Fred Gantt, president
(803) 238-8955
HayHillServices.com
How did your business begin?
I was in sales at McWaters for 10 years selling office furniture and supplies. I heard the owner complaining about the cost of lawn care for his business so I offered to do it myself for half of the price (on my day off, of course). Neighboring businesses began asking me to maintain their properties, too. I quickly had enough work to hire a full-time employee and buy new equipment. And that’s how it all started.
What is the mission of your business?
We want to design, construct, install, and take care of our clients’ dream yards and properties. We want them to be completely happy, and we want to hear them say, “Wow!”
What differentiates your business from other specialists in the field?
The main difference is that as a design-build firm, we can handle all aspects of a project from landscape architecture and design to hardscape installation, including site preparation, planting, irrigation, lighting, and finally routine maintenance. It is all in-house by Hay Hill Services.
What inspires you daily?
I know that we are only one cocktail party away from being ruined. By that I mean that if one customer is unhappy with a job we’ve done, word of mouth in Columbia can spread very, very quickly. I want my customers to say great things about our projects.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you or your business?
I don’t know how to re-string a weed eater.
