November 6, 2002

Greg Lott - Lott's Tree Care

Call it the obvious next step of progression.  With a college diploma in Urban Tree Maintenance, a provincial accreditation in arboriculture trade experience and the desire to become self employed, the vision of my own business, Lott's Tree Care, was in sight.  The question was how do I make it a reality?  I still lacked the "how to" run a business knowledge.

In 1999, I sat in and listened to a seminar about the Self Employment Benefit Program (SEB) sponsored by Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) and administered by Trenval Business Development Corporation.  In this seminar, I was informed how I could take a 6-week program, learning the tools of business, understanding the marketplace, and whether or not the area could handle another tree service company.  All of this while still receiving HRDC benefits.

During this program, I surveyed people and businesses around the Quinte area to find out what peoples needs were in regards to tree maintenance.  I found out that many people bought their property because of the trees on them and were concerned with the well-being of them.  Also people were afraid of losing their trees and didn't know they could be saved through proper maintenance.  This was just what I'd hope to find out.  With being a certified Arborist and a real "people person", this built my confidence to provide people with a knowledgeable friendly service.

This program was the missing link needed to start my own business.  After gaining some business sense, a great boost of confidence and a financial loan through Trenval, Lott's Tree Care became a reality in 2000.

My wife Nicole and my family were very encouraging and supportive of this major change to running my own very successful business.

A special thanks to the team at Trenval and HRDC for their SEB program and training and support during my start up phase.

Congratulations Greg!
Lott's Tree Care
613-477-1115