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How It Works: Our Proven Process for Owner-Led Success

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OVERVIEW

At Exscape Group, we make the process of joining our organization straightforward and collaborative. Whether you're exploring succession, seeking operational support, or ready to accelerate growth, our approach is designed to meet you where you are, and guide you to where you want to go.

With a track record of closing deals in 60–90 days, we combine strategic experience with real-world empathy to deliver outcomes that feel right for everyone involved.

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.

Our Acquisition & Integration Process

  • We start with a conversation. No pressure, no obligations, just an open dialogue to learn about your business, your goals, and whether our model aligns with your vision. We’ll walk you through our approach and answer any early questions you have.
  • If there’s mutual interest, we’ll sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to protect your privacy and begin evaluating the business together. We’ll ask for financials, customer mix, team structure, and other key data points to understand your operation and opportunities.
  • Next, we prepare a Letter of Intent (LOI) outlining a potential deal structure tailored to your goals, whether that includes full sale, partial exit, equity rollover, or ongoing leadership involvement. Our offers are flexible, fair, and designed for long-term success.

  • Once we align on the structure, we enter diligence, validating information and preparing final legal and financial agreements. Our team works closely with yours to ensure transparency, alignment, and a smooth process start to finish.

    We can even recommend legal counsel if needed, ensuring you feel supported every step of the way.

  • With agreements in place, we close the transaction and officially welcome your company into Exscape Group. This is more than a financial event, it’s the start of a new chapter with new support systems behind you.
  • Immediately after closing, your business gains access to Exscape Group’s centralized support:
    • Human Resources & Recruiting
    • Marketing & Branding Support
    • Payroll, Accounting & AP
    • IT & Software Systems
    • Insurance, Legal & RFP Support

    This support structure removes the day-to-day burden from your shoulders, so you can focus on leadership, growth, and operating in your zone of excellence. We also take care to honor existing vendor and subcontractor relationships, ensuring continuity and trust across your entire service network.

  • We don’t walk away after integration, we invest alongside you. Whether it’s expanding into new markets, strengthening your team, or optimizing operations, we’re in it for the long haul.

    You’ll have access to ongoing strategic support, leadership collaboration, and a community of like-minded owners and operators.

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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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What You Can Expect Throughout

  • A confidential, no-pressure approach
  • Straightforward communication
  • Fast, clear timelines (typically 60–90 days)
  • A customized partnership plan
  • People-first mindset from start to finish

"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

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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.

Your Next Chapter Starts With a Conversation

If you’re curious about what life could look like with Exscape Group behind you, we’re ready to talk, confidentially and with no obligation.