What happens when a teenager turns a side hustle into a thriving business? David Perdue, founder and owner of Greenview Landscape Services, shares how he launched his company in high school and scaled it into a 26-person commercial operation. In this conversation with host Steve Phipps, David breaks down his journey of grit, mentorship, and purpose. He reveals the leadership lessons that shaped him, why acting fast beats perfection, and how his mission to beautify the city drives everything he does. This episode is part of our CEO Interview Series—host Steve Phipps sits down with business leaders to unpack real-world lessons on growth, leadership, and marketing.

Guest Bio:

David Perdue is the founder and owner of Greenview Landscape Services, a commercial landscaping company based in Memphis. He started the business at just 17 years old while still in high school and has grown it into a thriving team of 26 employees. With a mission to beautify the city and help others grow, David leads with vision, humility, and a commitment to building people.

Connect with David on LinkedIn:
David Perdue

Highlights:

• “People spend too much time getting ready to get ready. Just start and perfect it along the way.”
• “You can’t teach what you haven’t developed. That’s why I’ve invested so much in learning how to lead.”
• “Our mission is to beautify the city and help others grow—that’s what gets me out of bed every day.”

Timestamps:

00:00 – What were you doing at 17? David was starting a business
01:00 – Launching Greenview with a rake, some hustle, and a flashlight 04:00 – Trading mulch jobs for mowers: how David scaled fast
06:30 – Graduating and going all in on entrepreneurship
08:00 – Transitioning to commercial landscaping and managing a 26-person team
10:00 – Winning major contracts and the advantage of being underestimated
12:00 – Why mentorship and coaching fueled David’s leadership growth
15:00 – Lessons in decisive action over perfection
17:00 – Sales strategy: just walk in and ask
19:00 – David’s mission: beautify the city and help others grow
21:00 – How purpose reignited his passion
22:00 – Recap and key takeaways from David’s growth journey

Related Links from Wayfind Marketing:

• Wayfind Marketing Learning Center
• 5 Ways a Business Marketing Coach Can Help CEOs Drive Growth
• Why Hiring a Marketing Coach Could Be the Best Investment You Make for Your Business

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Connect with the Hosts on LinkedIn:
Steve Phipps
AnnieLaurie Walters