What would your business look like if you suddenly had to operate with 55% less revenue?

What if that was not even the most difficult challenge you would face?

We have added Kurt LaButte, co-founder of Todd’s Services Inc. (Hamburg, MI), to the speaker lineup for our Summer Growth Summit.

His presentation, “Growing Through Every Season,” is a story of entrepreneurship, devastating setbacks, rebuilding, leadership development, scaling to new heights, and succession.

It is truly one of the most moving business stories I have heard.

From Rowboats to Nearly $10 Million

Todd’s Services began in 1979, when Kurt’s brother, Todd, was 15 and Kurt was only eight years old.

The brothers used rowboats to travel around the Chain of Lakes near Hamburg, Michigan, mowing lawns and doing whatever odd jobs people would pay them to do—including cleaning up after their dogs.

Over time, they added equipment and services, bought an irrigation company, moved into landscape design and construction, and developed one of the largest hydroseeding operations in the country.

By 2007, Todd’s Services had grown to nearly $10 million in revenue.

Kurt was enjoying the rewards of their rare success when suddenly the Michigan economy and housing market collapsed.

Todd’s Services was heavily dependent on new construction, and revenue fell to just over $4 million.

It was time to make big changes—and fast.

But that was not all. Kurt then lost his brother and lifelong business partner.

As the younger brother, Kurt suddenly had to take the helm and steer the company through loss, financial pressure, restructuring, and eventually regrowth.

It’s Time for a New Strategy

Kurt realized that rebuilding the company would require more than hard work. He needed an entirely new approach.

He built a management team, made difficult personnel decisions, and developed his own personal leadership style—one based less on giving orders and more on listening, collaboration, and trust.

He also had to confront another truth: they needed a new business model.

After surviving the downturn and personal tragedy, the company began rebuilding on a stronger foundation.

Todd’s Services diversified its services, developed more recurring revenue, strengthened its financial discipline, invested in systems, and expanded its leadership team.

Today, it has grown into one of the largest firms in its community, with multiple locations and the next generation stepping into ownership and leadership.

Lessons From Every Season

At the Summer Growth Summit, Kurt will share the decisions that helped Todd’s Services survive, rebuild, and scale, including how to:

• Protect cash and manage debt
• Diversify through recurring revenue
• Build and trust a leadership team
• Adapt when markets change
• Expand into new locations
• Transition a company to the next generation

As Kurt will attest, real growth does not happen when times are flush.

Rather, it happens during times of uncertainty and rebuilding—those moments when you are forced to change.

Whether your company is growing, struggling, rebuilding, or preparing for succession, Kurt’s story will provide practical lessons you can take home and apply immediately.

We are thrilled to have him joining us at the Summer Growth Summit Pre-Event.

P.S. Early Bird pricing ends this Friday, July 10. Register now to save $300 per ticket.

Regards,
Jeffrey Scott