Balancing Grit and Growth: Urban Landscapes’ Rise with Andrew Martin

This week on Trades Talk, host Justin White sits down with Andrew Martin, founder of Urban Landcare, to explore how personal grit, strategic pivots, and people-first leadership built one of San Diego’s most exciting landscape companies.

From growing up on construction sites in Northern Kentucky to becoming a disruptive force in Southern California, Andrew’s journey is a masterclass in betting on yourself and evolving with the industry.

In this episode, Andrew shares:

• How he launched Urban Landscapes in 2018 with two employees and 15 properties

• Why he quickly shifted from residential to commercial and leaned into irrigation as a profit center

• What he’s doing to stay ahead of California turf regulations and tech trends

• Why he took the time to learn Spanish and how it transformed his connection with the team

• His approach to competing with national firms by focusing on personal relationships and service consistency

Whether you’re building your book from scratch or scaling into the millions, Andrew’s story offers a grounded, real-world look at what it takes to grow smart, lead well, and stay true to your values.

Tune in to hear how one founder is dominating his local market while planning for what’s next.