Exploring Life & Business with Jake Thomas of The Tree Guy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jake Thomas.

Hi Jake, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in a small town in southern Ohio. I’ve been an entrepreneur for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I sold crafts I made to adults at my church and my art projects to my siblings — at a family discount, of course. I’ve always been fascinated by creating something valuable and finding ways to share it with others.

In high school, I continued to love creating and was naturally drawn to graphic design, but I didn’t know how to turn it into a career. I realized I wasn’t living a life that brought me joy or fulfillment, and that snapped me back into focus. I joined the Ohio Army National Guard, which gave me the stability I needed to get back on track. Soon after, I met Kate, and we were married a few years later.

In 2021, I graduated from Ohio University with a BFA in Graphic Design and started working full-time with the National Guard. As my family grew, I realized that while the career gave me support and fulfillment, it wasn’t something I wanted to do forever. I started thinking about life after the military and what I could create for myself. My mind kept going back to my love of creating and designing things that make people happy.

Naturally, my love of plants became my next frontier. While I didn’t have much experience, it was something that interested me and felt both challenging and rewarding. Over the next few years, I learned through trial and error what worked, which helped me build a blueprint for success. When I felt confident enough to take the step, I purchased the trees and supplies I needed to get started.

There have been bumps in the road — limited resources, a small grower network, and tight funds for equipment — but I’ve proven I can make it work. My background in graphic design has helped me market myself effectively and showcase the care I put into every project. Looking back, my early entrepreneurial spirit, discipline from the Guard, and creative experience have all helped me grow into where I am today.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not always been a smooth road for me. I try to use past struggles and setbacks to grow and adapt my process. For me, the bigger the failure, the larger the pivot — and vice versa. I focus on making the essential corrections and developing a process to avoid making similar mistakes again. I don’t let my past mistakes define me.

In my startup local nursery, I use lessons from all aspects of my life to build a strong foundation. I’ve made plenty of mistakes, but they’ve given me the opportunity to learn what works and what doesn’t. I once bought a beautiful tree and planted it in my landscaping, thinking it would showcase the care and thoughtfulness I bring to my work. One morning I was devastated to find a deer had completely destroyed it. That reminded me to think through both best-case and worst-case scenarios when making decisions, and to prepare for things outside my control.

Similarly, when I used my tax return as seed money for the business, I purchased trees that I personally liked or thought were best for the area — not necessarily what customers actually wanted. Now I have 15 beautiful Eastern Redbuds and Sycamores planted all over my property. That lesson taught me that when you’re providing a service, you have to focus on what your customers need. Learning that early allowed me to adapt and start doing informal market research to better understand my clientele.

At the end of the day, every setback has helped me grow stronger roots, make better decisions, and build a business that’s improving a little more each season.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I run a locally owned tree and plant business focused on helping people create lasting, practical landscapes. We offer a wide variety of trees and shrubs in multiple sizes, along with seasonal palm rentals that bring a unique tropical feel to events and outdoor spaces. I work hands-on with every plant and focus on giving honest, experience-based guidance so customers choose the right plants for long-term success, not just what looks good today.

What sets us apart is the personal approach — customers work directly with me rather than a large retailer. Even though we’re based in a rural area, we regularly deliver throughout the Columbus area, making it easy for customers to access quality trees without sacrificing local service.

I’m most proud of building a brand centered around trust, accessibility, and helping people feel confident about what they’re planting. The goal is simple: quality plants, straightforward advice, and landscapes that thrive for years.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
This is a tough question because there are so many people who have had both positive and challenging impacts on my life. I’ve tried to use all of those experiences as motivation. At times, even the people who doubted me pushed me to work harder and become more driven. It may not always be the healthiest motivation, but it helped shape who I am and how I approach my work.

My wife, Kate, has always been there for me and has helped me become the most authentic version of myself. I’ve learned that when people trust you with their business, they want someone genuine who truly cares. Customers can buy a tree anywhere, but they come to me because they know I’ll handle the process from start to finish, no matter the size of the job.

I’d also say my clients and others in the nursery field deserve a lot of credit. There’s a steep learning curve in this industry, and the suggestions and advice I’ve received have helped me grow my knowledge and streamline how I operate.

I truly believe this canopy of experiences has created the right environment for my business to grow.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/profile/100003010163327/