Jared Rutland started working before he could drive. As an independent landscaper he is as focused on customer relations as he is on horticulture. And he’s currently working to grow his brand in a community that values its greenspace.
Rutland launched Monarch Outdoor, LLC in November of 2024 after years of on-the-job experience that began at the age of 15. A part-time job mowing sports fields for his hometown of Madison, Mississippi eventually led to a full-time position with a landscape architect. The combination of residential and commercial jobs instructed him in the technical side of the business, but the opportunity to improve personal service is what drew him in.
“I like face-to-face interaction,” he said. “Other companies will look over a property and send a quote, but I like meeting people, discussing their needs, and communicating in person throughout the life of the account.”
He moved to Winter Park in 2020 and began working with a local firm in 2021, managing accounts and overseeing maintenance and installations. “I knew there was a diversity of needs for residential and commercial properties,” he said. “There’s not much difference between the Winter Park/Maitland area and my hometown in terms of climate and the types of plants used for landscaping.”
Rutland’s trademark focus on personal relationships has sharpened as he’s grown Monarch Outdoor. His rapport with customers even resulted in the moniker, “the Sod Cowboy,” in reference to the hat that he often wears on the job. “You could say the nickname stuck,” he said.
One factor Rutland fears could impact customer service is Winter Park’s gas-powered leaf blower ban. Those favoring the ordinance argue that gas-powered models create air and noise pollution. Opponents point to the inefficiency of less-powerful electric models and believe the market should decide the matter. Residents and business owners petitioned the city to allow voters to have their say and the referendum was added to the March ballot.
Rutland said the cost difference between his current leaf blower and the comparable gas-powered model with a battery back-up is about $1,986 – that doesn’t include the means of charging batteries on the job. “Batteries may only last for one or two yards, so you constantly need to have backups charging while you run your route.” He added that models with less power also means more time cleaning each property, which means fewer daily jobs completed. And while raking is not out of the question, it would take even longer than the electric alternative. “I haven’t had any customers tell me they have a problem with the gas blowers,” he said. “We’ll have to wait for the vote and see what happens.”
Whatever the outcome, Rutland says his priority won’t change. Expansion and profits are important, but he believes success grows from fostering positive customer relationships. “The goal is to solve problems through communication and understand the needs of the people who are supporting you.”
