Wrier/ Christy Heitger-Ewing
Photographer / Amy Payne
In 2015, best friends and ex-spouses Brian and Amanda Thieman decided to start a landscaping company called 317Grow. They had been divorced for several years but got along beautifully and thought this new venture had promising potential. They were right. Now nearly five years later, Brian runs the maintenance side of the business while Amanda heads up the design and construction side.
We have this crazy blended family that all works great together, Amanda says. Others are like, What? but for us, its normal. We support each other and can be totally honest about whatevers on our mind.
Because 317Grow offers landscape design, construction, maintenance and seasonal décor, they are not your typical landscaping company.
Our designs are unique. Some are really modern, says Amanda, who listens to her clients and creates something special and unique for each one. Im not just putting in a paver patio. I try to connect with them personally because I think theres a sense of humanity thats lacking in this industry.
This year its been especially fun to craft special spaces for clients as they appreciate it all the more since they are spending so much extra time at home. The pair take great pride in the fact that they are involved and invested in their customers. Though theyre co-owners, rarely will you find either of them sitting behind a desk.
Today Brian is out mowing with the crew, and later Im going to go set out plants because Im particular in my design, Amanda says. We are very hands-on.
They also care a great deal about their 25 employees, which is why they dont work their staff 80 hours a week the way some companies do.
Quality of life is huge for us, Amanda adds. Brian and I both have kids, and all our guys have kids. Family is everything.
Another big component of their business is maintenance as they maintain most all of the sites they design. Not only do they do mowing and lawn applications but they also offer snow removal and salting in the winter.
As the name suggests, they serve all of Central Indiana, though they do take jobs outside of the 317 area code. For instance, they did a huge project west of Greencastle, which they still maintain. They were also commissioned to do landscaping work at a lake house in Michigan. So, they do occasionally travel.
Though the coronavirus threw them a curveball, as it did all companies around the U.S., they have remained plenty busy.
Job sites have just been different with so many of our clients working from home during the day, Amanda says. But she and her crew are used to going with the flow as thats the nature of the business.
Every year brings something different to this industry, she says. Usually its the weather. This year its COVID-19, which has affected vendors, shipping and labor shortages. Were just thrilled to be working because we love what we do.
For more information on 317Grow, call 317-251-GROW, email info@317grow.com or visit them online at 317grow.com.
