Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathleen Baxter Marvel.
Kathleen, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My first business license was dated 1981, in the early years it was a part-time effort. Until in 1993 without any choice in the matter, I was suddenly made a head of household. My business at that time was a kitchen table top business, making money for vacations and other somewhat unnecessary things, such as boats, campers, fun things. Raising my two kids, and caring for my husband and a home was my main job. Coastal Planting Service made only $2,344.00 that year. Obviously not enough to live on.
When I knew I had to support myself and my two kids, I got busy pre-scheduling the few clients I had and looking for new business. At that time, every job site required its own individual permit issued from the State, to trim the mangrove trees. Mangrove trees are protected under Florida law, and I became well known as someone who could get the “million dollar waterfront views” waterfront owners wanted.
In 1994, the Late Governor Chiles brought together professionals to write a new law to govern how mangroves could be more easily trimmed. He personally called me to ask for my help. He commented that when he called each Department of Environmental Department office throughout the State, asking who in the private sector knew how to successfully trim mangroves, he repeatedly heard my name. I served the State of Florida at no charge for over a year to offer my expertise in writing the 1996 Mangrove Trimming and Preservation Act.
Since that time, my Company has grown to have thousands of individual homeowners condominiums, and waterfront businesses as clients. My clients fondly refer to me as the “Mangrove Lady”. My Son David Baxter has grown into his position with the company from an early age and is now the VP, and head of all field operations. My niece Shelly Gordon, started working with us in 2012 as my Assistant. We pride ourselves on being a family run business and enjoy a wonderful relationship with our clients. We employ 10 people and trim mangroves five days a week, 52 weeks out of the year, this is all we do, we are not a landscape company, we are a mangrove trimming company, check out our site www.mangrovetrimmer.com.
The success of this company has allowed college and a good lifestyle for my now grown children, and for myself. My original fear of failing my kids is gone. Mangroves have been a large part of mine and my kids live and is now my passion to provide our services, yet protect the valuable resource that they are. We are not bragging when we say we are mangrove experts if it involves mangroves we do it better than anyone else. Someone once told me “it ain’t bragging if it is true” I believe that, as well as “we do indeed, do it better”.
Has it been a smooth road?
Originally, money was very tight, as previously said, the first year “I was a single woman” my company only grossed $2,344.00. Not near enough to pay the mortgage and feed two kids.
Finding workers was, and still is difficult. Working to obtain permits from the State of Florida to trim mangroves, when I knew it could safely be done, and they did not, was “trying” and very frustrating at times. When a permit would not be issued in a timely fashion, I did not get paid.
I must say, from the first year I realized it was completely up to me as to how successful I would be, and what kind of life my kids would have. I worked physically hard, Mangroves grow in mud, I worked in mud day after day until I became successful enough to hire someone else to do it! I worked five days a week, with a chainsaw or hedger climbing through the trees to get the jobs done. Men I hired gave me the name of “chainsaw mama”.
Then I would go home to help with homework, balance the checkbook, send invoices, laundry, dinner, baseball practice, dance lessons, I did it all and I have no regrets, I had little help, but I learned the secret of success. SEE what you want, where you want to be, and do not stop working until you have reached it.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Coastal Planting Service – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
When clients, builders, or land developers have a difficult project, we are the company they come to.
We have an excellent reputation for having utmost integrity, honesty, and that we understand and follow the laws while giving the client the best possible legal view of the water.
We are mangrove tree specialists, we do not do any other type of work.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Love the waterfront! The excitement of the tourist attractions and entertainment.
Least? Would have to say the only thing is the traffic!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mangrovetrimmer.com
- Phone: 561-747-3436
- Email: [email protected]
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
