Scaling a Landscape Business with Corey Shalevski from RYCOR Landscapes| The Front Garden EP147
In this episode…
Adam Hompas sits down with Corey Shalevski from RYCOR Landscapes for a candid chat about business growth, team culture, systems, and the realities of building a landscape business with momentum.
Corey shares the RYCOR story, from growing up on a Yarra Valley property with his brother and business partner Ryan, to combining Ryan’s hands-on landscaping experience with Corey’s background in account management, business development and systems.
Together, they’ve grown RYCOR Landscapes into a 19-person team, with a strong focus on quality workmanship, clear communication, digital systems, and hiring people who genuinely align with the business.
The conversation explores the transition from pen-and-paper processes to digital job management, the importance of knowing your numbers, the value of investing in the right people, and why strong internal culture becomes even more important as a business grows.
Corey also opens up about one of the biggest learning curves in business: switching off.
From leaving the laptop at the office to making time for family, sport and life outside work, this episode is a practical reminder that sustainable growth is not just about more projects, more staff or bigger numbers.
It is also about building a business that supports the people inside it.
Key Takeaways
Growth needs structure.
RYCOR’s growth has been supported by clearer systems, defined roles, and a move toward digital processes across quoting, project management, communication, and back-costing.
The right team changes everything.
Corey talks about the importance of hiring “A players” and building a team of people who see landscaping as a career, not just a job.
Quality comes from culture, not just oversight.
As the team has grown, Ryan and Corey cannot be everywhere at once, so maintaining quality comes down to hiring people who share the same standards, values and attention to detail.
Communication is a business asset.
RYCOR prides itself on clear communication with clients, staff and suppliers, but Corey also shares how growth can stretch those standards if the right support is not in place.
Know your numbers before you grow.
From hiring qualified tradespeople to expanding the office team, Corey reflects on how understanding the numbers helps business owners make better, more confident decisions.
Industry connection matters.
Adam and Corey discuss the value of networking with other business owners, especially when navigating shared challenges such as price increases, workload pressure, and business uncertainty.
Switching off is part of sustainable leadership.
Corey speaks openly about learning to set boundaries, spending time with family, getting back into soccer, and finding ways to step away from the constant demands of running a business.
Flexibility helps retain good people.
RYCOR’s approach to work-life balance extends to the team, with flexibility around family, sport and personal commitments helping create a more supportive workplace.
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👁️🗨️ About RYCOR Landscapes
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Scaling a Landscape Business with Corey Shalevski from RYCOR Landscapes| The Front Garden EP147
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