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FAQs

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What Landscape Business Owners Ask Us Most

If you're exploring a sale, planning for succession, or just curious about what a partnership could look like, you're not alone, and you're in the right place.

Below are the most common questions we hear from landscape business owners as they begin the conversation with Exscape Group.

The Background

Founded in 1993 and rebranded in 2011, Green Impressions grew from a modest lawn care business into a 40+ person team offering high-end residential design/build, full-service commercial maintenance, and pool installations under the Blue Impressions brand. With branded vehicles, uniformed crews, and award-winning craftsmanship, Green Impressions built its name on:

  • Turnkey outdoor living solutions
  • Long-term commercial maintenance contracts
  • Polished, trustworthy client service
  • Consistent team execution with low turnover

Led by founder Joe Schell, the company hit a critical inflection point in the 2020s: strong demand, but a need for better backend systems, growth planning, and operational support to reach the next level.

The Challenge

Green Impressions wanted to evolve from a production-heavy company into a sales-driven growth machine, but faced barriers common to founder-led businesses:

  • Too much operational burden on the owner
  • Fragmented tech stack (Boss, HubSpot, spreadsheets)
  • Limited commercial expansion outside core HOA portfolio
  • A need for better cross-selling and irrigation development

Joe Schell wasn’t looking for an exit. He was looking for a partner who understood his goals, and could help get there without compromising team culture or service quality.

The Solution

A Strategic Partnership With Exscape Group

In 2025, Green Impressions joined Exscape Group, a Private Investment-backed landscaping partnership purpose-built for owner-led companies. The partnership delivered:

  • Centralized back-office support (HR, IT, finance, recruiting, marketing)
  • Technology unification, including the rollout of Aspire for CRM + job costing
  • Co-branded positioning: "Green Impressions, Powered by Exscape Group"
  • Strategic collaboration with other high-performing operators across Ohio

The relationship allowed Joe to focus on leadership and growth, while Exscape Group brought systems, scale, and strategic clarity to support the business’s evolution.

  • We partner with landscape companies that have strong local reputations, great teams, and a desire to grow or transition. Ideal candidates typically have:

    • $2M–$15M in annual revenue
    • 15–75 employees
    • Service models in commercial maintenance, residential design/build, or a combination of both
    • Operations based in Ohio or nearby Midwest markets.

    If your business falls slightly outside these ranges, we still encourage you to reach out, we tailor every partnership to fit.

  • No. In most cases, we preserve the local identity and branding of our partner companies. We believe your name, reputation, and client relationships are a key part of your value, and we want to build on that, not erase it.
  • We’re a people-first organization, and one of our core goals is to protect and elevate your team. We don’t come in with a playbook of layoffs or cost-cutting. Instead, we provide resources to help your employees grow, gain support, and find long-term opportunity within a larger organization.
  • From initial conversation to closing, we typically complete transactions within 60–90 days. The process is streamlined, transparent, and supported by experienced professionals every step of the way.
  • It’s entirely up to you. Some owners choose to stay involved as leaders or advisors, while others prefer a full exit or phased transition. We’re flexible and will structure your deal to match your personal and professional goals.
  • Yes. We offer equity rollover opportunities for owners who want to remain invested in the long-term growth of the business. This allows you to benefit from both an upfront sale and future upside as the group continues to scale.

  • Your company will gain immediate access to Exscape Group’s shared services infrastructure, which includes:

    • HR & recruiting
    • IT systems & support
    • Marketing & branding
    • Payroll, accounting & AP
    • Insurance & legal resources
    • RFP and operational support
    • Technology solutions like Aspire

    These tools free you and your team to focus on service, leadership, and growth, not back-office tasks.

  • Completely confidential. Every conversation starts with a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to protect your business information. Confidentiality is foundational to our process, and we’ll never share details about your company without your permission.

  • We’re happy to work with your trusted advisors, and if needed, we can recommend legal or financial professionals with M&A experience to help you through the process.
  • Absolutely. Many of our most successful partnerships started with a simple, no-pressure conversation. Whether you're years from a transition or actively exploring options, we’re happy to connect and help you understand what’s possible.
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Comprehensive Maintenance Services
Lawn care, pruning, bed maintenance, snow removal, and seasonal clean-ups for commercial and residential properties.
Landscape Design & Installation
Enhancements, renovations, and installations that elevate curb appeal and long-term property value.
Horticultural Expertise
A deep bench of plant, soil, and seasonal knowledge guides every service plan and site execution.
Client-Centered Support
Hands-on account management, fast response times, and proactive recommendations that keep properties performing at their best.
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Proudly Serving Northern Ohio

Headquartered in Sheffield, OH, Green Impressions supports properties across:

  • Sheffield, OH 
  • Painesville, OH
  • Surrounding Northern Ohio markets

Green Impressions continues to lead with integrity, performance, and pride in its work, representing exactly what Exscape Group looks for in its partners.

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Looking Ahead

Green Impressions is more than a success story, it’s a blueprint for what’s possible when a founder-led business is supported, not swallowed.

"We’ve always been a one-stop shop for our clients. Now, with Exscape Group behind us, we’ve become a one-stop shop for growth."

 — Joe Schell, Founder of Green Impressions

"We knew we had built something special, and we wanted to take it further. Exscape Group gave us the tools, the team, and the vision to scale the right way."

 — Bill Dysert, CEO of Exscape Group

Contact Us
Cincinnati, OH luxury backyard with manicured lawn, stone patio seating, ivy-clad home, and mature trees

Our Core Offerings

  • Strategic Acquisitions
  • Centralized Back-Office Operations
  • Growth & Market Expansion Support
  • Operational and Financial Optimization
  • Seller Transition and Equity Rollover Options
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Our Process

A Smoother Path to Growth & Transition

01.

Connect & Explore Strategic Fit

We listen and understand what a "win-win" outcome looks like for you.

02.

Due Diligence & Deal Structuring

Financial review, LOI preparation, and transition planning, typically within 60-90 days.

03.

Integration & Shared Success

You join a platform designed to grow your legacy, empower your people, and expand your impact.

Still Have Questions?

Let’s talk through them, confidentially and on your terms.