March 6, 2025
A winning team includes women
By Ryan Markewich
In honour of International Women’s Day on March 8, I want to take a moment to recognize the impact women have had on the success of the landscaping company I started nearly three decades ago. At Creative Roots Landscaping, we've always kept things simple: we hire the best person for the job, no matter their gender. Women have been a vital part of our team, taking on roles from front-line technicians to management and ownership. Their presence isn't about ticking boxes or looking good: it's about the unique skills and perspectives they bring to our projects.
Integrating women into various roles is a natural aspect of our operations, contributing to our overall success. We don't specifically highlight or celebrate this integration; it's simply how we conduct business, with each team member playing their part in our ecosystem.
While our design/build division remains predominantly male, our maintenance division consistently includes women who handle all the equipment and tasks required. Their contributions have made us more efficient and have challenged outdated industry norms, demonstrating that landscaping isn't just a man's game.
We don't have specific programs for inclusive recruitment, mentorship or flexible work schedules. When a job opens up, we post it and choose the best candidate, male or female. This ensures our hires are based solely on merit.
This ties into our open-book management style, where everyone's input matters. Sharing financial and strategic details with all employees encourages out-of- the-box thinking and makes everyone feel committed to our long-term success.
Having had women in both management and ownership roles, we've gained a mix of insights and leadership styles that, in my opinion, drive innovation and make our company culture more inclusive. This diversity has made our business stronger.
For example, Colette joined us a decade ago in an administrative role. She has missed fewer days of work than I can count on one hand, and uses her skills as a certified organization coach in HR to strengthen our company. She is a triathlete, a continuous learner, and now an owner of 15 per cent of the company. Rebecca and her husband came on board three years back; she's outspoken, constructive and has built trust and meaningful relationships that clients often praise. Dannielle's meticulous work in accounting has been a blessing to everyone in the company. Rhian shows up daily with a bright attitude and is finding her place in the company like anyone else. Then there's Alysha and Lexi — who could thrive in any role. Not only do they run equipment, pitch in wherever needed and learn at breakneck speeds, but they also participate in ways that help the company blaze its trail to our Vision of Greatness.
Lexi, for instance, tracked and reported on our Maintenance Team People Development Initiative at company-wide huddles last year and is now stepping up to own our Strong Relationship initiative in 2025. Alysha has taken over the role as our nursery and facility manager, works when needed with both the maintenance and design/build divisions and even fixed the shop bathroom sink!
I could go on about how women like Tracy, Heather, Ran, Louise, Kelly, Sam, Kat, Jessica, Priscilla, Alyssa — and many others over the years — have each played a significant role in shaping the company we are today. Even though they have moved on, their contributions have been as impactful as those of their male counterparts.
These team members not only excel in their daily tasks but also take ownership by managing Scoreboard line items and organizing company events, proving our belief that at work, one plus one equals a lot. This concept, inspired by Ari Weinzweig's philosophy, emphasizes that the combined efforts of individuals can lead to outcomes far greater than the sum of their parts. It's about the synergy that occurs when diverse talents and perspectives come together, regardless of gender.
While we avoid drawing lines between genders in business, the truth is that diversity brings strength. Different perspectives and approaches enrich our company culture and enhance the service we provide to our clients. I can’t imagine it any other way.
Ryan Markewich has been fascinated by business since starting Creative Roots Landscaping in 1994. After selling a majority of his successful company to key employees, he launched Rmark, a coaching service to help other business owners achieve better results, have more time for themselves and find enjoyment along the way.