Building Backyard Dreams with Columbus Hardscapes | Jennifer & Rob Hewitt
In this special in-person episode of Cosmos & Commerce, hosts Janis Francis and Michele Cook gather with Jennifer and Rob Hewitt, the dynamic husband-and-wife team behind Columbus Hardscapes. Tune in as they explore the journey of transforming a small lawn-mowing gig into a renowned hardscaping business, creating stunning outdoor spaces that extend home living into nature. From designing epic patios to tackling operational challenges, the Hewitts share how passion, persistence, and family values shape their business.
Key Moments & Takeaways:
- Founding Story & Growth: Rob shares his entrepreneurial beginnings, starting Columbus Hardscapes from scratch, evolving from mowing lawns in sixth grade to building an enterprise with his wife Jennifer.
- Overcoming Workforce Hurdles: The Hewitts candidly discuss hiring challenges, particularly in a seasonal, labor-intensive industry, and how their close-knit, family-oriented company culture fosters loyalty and reduces turnover.
- Marketing Strategies that Work: While word-of-mouth has been a powerful tool, the Hewitts explain the evolution of their marketing approach, including direct mail campaigns in neighborhoods where they’re active, high-impact social media, and creating show-stopping displays at the Home and Garden Show.
- Creating a Family Atmosphere: Columbus Hardscapes emphasizes a family-first culture, supporting employees with flexible schedules and shared meals, and investing in team-building events to foster unity.
- Innovation in Client Engagement: Instead of aggressively collecting leads, the team allows potential clients to initiate contact, ensuring serious inquiries and aligning better with their service values.
- Balancing Business & Personal Life: Jennifer and Rob open up about the importance of keeping evenings and weekends free to unwind and spend time with their three kids.
- Future Aspirations & Giving Back: Learn about their upcoming plans to expand Columbus Hardscapes with a full-blown design center and their philanthropic project, Columbus Hardscapes Cares, aimed at creating dream spaces for families in need.
Lightning Round:
- Biggest Inspiration: Rob names Sebastian Enges, known for his straightforward, no-nonsense business approach.
- Best Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: The Hewitts stress the importance of resilience, financial management, and utilizing local business resources like the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Chamber of Commerce.
Join us for an inspiring episode full of actionable insights on building a business from the ground up, maintaining quality, and staying true to your values—even in an unpredictable industry.
Find Columbus Hardscapes on Facebook and Instagram @ColumbusHardscapes or visit them online at ColumbusHardscapes.com and InstallMyPatio.com.
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