Welcome back to "ATCP in the Canopy," the official podcast of the Association of Tree Care Professionals.
In this episode, host and ATCP Committee Member Austin Lee sits down with Brazzi Smith, owner of Precision Tree Care and Removal in Live Oak, Florida and head of the ATCP Membership Committee.
Brazzi built his business from the ground up — starting with a newspaper ad, a borrowed Bobcat, and his wife holding a rope — into a thriving multi-million dollar operation. Join us as he shares his journey from first-time tree guy to full-fledged business owner, and the mindset shifts, equipment decisions, and hard lessons that got him there.
In this video, you'll learn:

0:00 - Introduction & Welcome to the Canopy
0:26 - Meet Brazzi Smith: Owner of Precision Tree Care and Removal
0:56 - Seasonality in North Florida & the Hurricane Factor
2:23 - Making Hay When the Sun Shines: Weathering Slow Seasons
3:20 - From Carpentry to Tree Care: How It All Started
5:16 - The $1,100 Job That Sparked a Business
8:30 - Selling His First $5,000 Job & Reinvesting Smart
10:25 - Tree Guy to Business Owner: The Mindset Shift
13:37 - Hiring Employees & Moving Into Sales
15:06 - Why Equipment Can Make or Break Your Company
20:35 - When to Buy, When to Rent: The Smart Growth Framework
21:34 - Know Your Numbers: The Role of Accounting & Cashflow
26:22 - Smart Growth vs. Growth for Growth's Sake
29:36 - Why Brazzi Joined ATCP & Leads the Membership Committee
30:04 - Collaboration Over Competition: The ATCP Vision
37:08 - Industry Standards & the Case for More Regulation
43:19 - Borrowing Knowledge: How to Learn Without Taking Deadly Risks
45:46 - Lightning Round: Coffee, Pet Peeves & Chainsaw Brand of Choice
48:34 - Best Advice for Anyone Starting Out in Tree Care
49:01 - Outro & How to Connect with Brazzi

Whether you are an industry veteran or just starting your tree care business, Brazzi's insights offer invaluable lessons on smart growth, safety culture, and the power of collaboration.

About ATCP:
The Association of Tree Care Professionals (ATCP) is dedicated to elevating the standards of the tree care industry through education, safety protocols, and professional networking.

Subscribe to our channel to stay updated with future episodes of ATCP in the Canopy:

https://www.youtube.com/@A.T.C.Professionals
Learn more about ATCP membership: https://atcpros.org/

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AssociationOfTreeCareProfessionals

Connect with our guest:
Precision Tree Care and Removal: https://www.precisiontreecareremoval.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the Like button and share it with your fellow tree care professionals!

#ATCP #TreeCareIndustry #ATCPInTheCanopy #Arboriculture #TreeBusiness #TreeRemoval #Entrepreneurship #TreeCareProfessionals #SafetyFirst #PrecisionTreeCare

Welcome to the debut episode of "ATCP in the Canopy," the official podcast of the Association of Tree Care Professionals.

In this inaugural episode, host and ATCP Committee Member Austin Lee sits down with a titan of the tree care industry: Stefano Devigili.

Stefano is an ATCP Founding Board Member and the Co-Founder of Grant Brothers Tree Service. Join us as he shares his inspiring journey from his early entrepreneurial beginnings to building one of the most respected names in tree care.

0:00 - Introduction & Welcome to the Canopy
1:42 - How Grant Brothers Treecare Started
4:28 - Transitioning from Handyman to Tree Care
6:22 - Advice to His 18-Year-Old Self: The Power of Focus
8:04 - The Hidden Challenge: Admin Work & CRM Systems
10:20 - Mindset Shift: Business Owner vs. Tree Guy
12:25 - Building Loyalty Through Servant Leadership & Culture
14:07 - Industry Pitfalls: Shiny Object Syndrome & Winter Planning
17:36 - Staying Motivated Through Faith & Positivity
20:04 - Why They Founded the ATCP (Association of Tree Professionals)
26:06 - What Makes a Successful ATCP Member?
27:53 - Lightning Round: Chainsaws, Pet Peeves & Energy Drinks
30:25 - Stephano's Ultimate Calling: Full-Time Ministry
31:39 - Final Advice for Beginners in the Tree Industry
32:03 - Outro & How to Connect

Whether you are an industry veteran or just starting your tree care business, Stefano’s insights offer invaluable lessons on growth, professionalism, and community.

About ATCP:
The Association of Tree Care Professionals (ATCP) is dedicated to elevating the standards of the tree care industry through education, safety protocols, and professional networking.

Subscribe to our channel to stay updated with future episodes of ATCP in the Canopy: https://www.youtube.com/@A.T.C.Professionals

Learn more about ATCP membership: https://atcpros.org/
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AssociationOfTreeCareProfessionals

Connect with our guest:
Grant Brothers Tree Service: https://virginiatreecare.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the Like button and share it with your fellow tree care professionals!

#ATCP #TreeCareIndustry #GrantBrothersTreeCare #Entrepreneurship #Arboriculture #ATCPInTheCanopy