Michael Martin

So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself—where you’re from originally and where you live now.

My name is Michael Martin. I was born and raised in East Tennessee, and I've always enjoyed being outdoors and helping others. Those interests played a big part in my decision to start Martin's Property Solutions here in East Tennessee. We are currently focused on serving our local communities, but my long-term goal is to grow the business and eventually expand into other areas.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now.

One thing I love about living in East Tennessee is the community. There are a lot of hard-working people here, and I enjoy being a part of a community where people take pride in their homes and properties. I also love being surrounded by the outdoors and the beautiful scenery that East Tennessee has to offer.

Tell us a little more about what your company does and how it started. How does it help your customers?

Martin's Property Solutions is a property care company that helps homeowners and businesses take care of their properties to keep them looking their best. I started the business because I wanted to build something of my own while doing work I enjoy and helping others. I started small and have continued to grow through hard work, taking care of customers, and reinvesting back into the business. Our goal is to make property maintenance easier for our customers while giving them a property they can be proud of and boosting curb appeal.

If someone wants to start a business, what advice would you give them?

The best advice I could give is just start. You'll never know what something could become until you actually take the first step. Life is short, so don't spend all your time wondering whether something will work. Find out for yourself. Start small, use the resources the business provides to grow, and always think and work like the bigger company you desire to be. Learn something new daily and ask lots of questions.

What is one piece of feedback from a happy customer or client that you won't forget?

One piece of feedback that has really stuck with me was a customer telling me that they could tell I actually cared about their property and wasn't just there to cut grass and leave. That meant a lot to me because that's exactly the kind of company I want Martin's Property Solutions to be. I want customers to know we are not just providing a service; we are taking pride in their property and treating it like it's our own.

Where do you see your company in the future?

I see Martin's Property Solutions becoming a full-service property care company that customers can rely on for solutions both inside and outside of their properties. I want to build a company known for quality, reliability, and treating every property like it's our own. Ultimately, I want MPS to grow into a company that can serve our community for many years while maintaining the same level of care we had when we started.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

I think the biggest misconception is that lawn care is just cutting grass and that it's an easy way to make money. If done properly, there is a lot more that goes into running a professional property care business than most realize. You have equipment, maintenance, fuel, insurance, payroll, taxes, scheduling, weather, customer service, and a lot of physical work, to name a few. The goal isn't just to provide property care; it is to provide a consistent service that customers can trust.

What has been one of your biggest struggles building your business, and how did you deal with it?

I think the biggest struggle has been trying to grow the business while working a full-time job. I've had to work around limited hours, weather, equipment problems, hiring challenges, and still make sure every customer gets the quality of service promised to them. There have definitely been times when it felt overwhelming, but I learned to focus on what I can control, reinvest back into the business, and keep moving forward instead of giving up. It takes a lot of persistence and perseverance. Every problem has taught me something that has made me a better business owner.

Who was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?

Tiki Barber was my favorite athlete growing up, and Chris Stapleton was one of my favorite musicians.

I relate to both of them because neither story is simply about having everything handed to them. Tiki Barber wasn't viewed as one of the most highly regarded football prospects coming out of high school, but he continued developing, worked his way through college football and ultimately became a successful NFL player.

Chris Stapleton spent years working behind the scenes as a songwriter and musician before getting his major breakthrough as a solo artist. He kept working at his craft instead of expecting overnight success.

That's something I relate to with Martin's Property Solutions. I started the business without years of commercial lawn experience, while working a full-time job. I've had setbacks, made mistakes, and had plenty to learn along the way, but I've kept showing up, improving, and building it one happy customer at a time.

Any shoutouts you want to make?

I'd like to give a shoutout to my family, my customers and everyone who has supported Martin's Property Solutions along the way. Building a business hasn't been easy, being pulled in so many directions at once, and I'm grateful for everyone who has trusted me with their property and encouraged me to keep pushing forward.

Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?

Readers can learn more about Martin's Property Solutions at www.mpstn.net. We're also on Google and Facebook, where people can see our work and get in touch with us. We serve the East Tennessee area.