Member Spotlight – Wetlands Irrigation & Turf
It was a chilly, drizzly morning as Chamber members gathered in Galva for Chamber Connections hosted by Wetlands Irrigation & Turf April 18th, but the coffee was hot and the conversations engaging.
Olin Unruh, owner of Wetlands Irrigation & Turf, said the company’s primary “Why” is to serve – to serve its teams, its clients, and ultimately its community. They maintain a people-focus.
“We just happen to do lawn irrigation and fertilization services, but really we want to make sure that everyone we come in contact with feels that Chick-fil-A experience that it’s our pleasure to be here today,” said Unruh.
Unruh shared Wetlands’ core values they operate by:
- Be Honest: To yourself and others.
- Think Like a Customer: If I was paying someone to do this, how would I want it done?
- Be a Professional: In the way you work, dress, and speak.
- Be Respectful: To clients and team members alike.
- Take Responsibility: Life is 10% circumstances and 90% what you choose to do with them.
- Be Accountable: Do what you said you would do, when you said you would do it.
Signs with these principles hang in the office and the shop to always keep team members mindful of them.
Unruh purchased Wetlands Irrigation in March 2010. That year the only employees were Unruh and his cousin Duane, and they brought in about $73,000 in sales. Their first client is still a client today. Since then Unruh has added lines of service including turf care and Christmas lights. In 2022, they moved into their new building and surpassed $1M in revenue for the first time.
The business has seen its ups and downs, however, and 2023 was a particularly challenging year. Unruh said he learned some lessons and forged some good solid team members through the hardships, and he feels like Wetlands is in a better place in 2024. He’s secure in knowing Wetlands Irrigation & Turf is in business to serve.
“We’re not the company that’s going to come in and do a big fancy landscape installation for you,” he said. “We want to be the company you can depend on to show up to service your yard, to be easy to deal with, easy to get ahold of, easy to work with. We’re building on that side of the company. I feel like that’s where our future is.”
Learn more about the services available from Wetlands Irrigation & Turf on their website or call them at 620-319-1367. Watch their Facebook page for helpful lawncare tips, and be sure to check out photos from the April 18th Chamber Connection.
