Tony Kosinski and his family have enjoyed success following a path that has allowed them to expand their business to include home-building, backyard living, and retail. Today they offer the Mt. Juliet community a host of services to make their homes a haven for years to come.
Tony has been in home construction for over 30 years and has expanded to encompass a thriving pool and backyard business. “Six years ago, we started building amenity centers in newly constructed neighborhoods,” Tony remembers. “From that, people started to ask us to do their backyards. That's how 615 Outdoor Living started.” About three years ago, they made it official – separating their businesses to found 615 Outdoor Living. This entity now focuses on custom backyards, including pools, pool houses, outdoor kitchens, garages, and both hardscaping and landscaping. “The backyard business has just really taken off,” says Tony. “So, we have spent most of our time there.”
He has been married to his wife Gwyn for 11 years and calls her “the rock star of the family.” She brings 30+ years of engineering and supply chain experience to the family business, having retired from her corporate career. The family is still expanding its offerings. This past October, Gwyn, and Tony opened a retail store off 109 in Lebanon carrying everything to equip and accessorize a backyard, including Big Green Eggs, Green Mountain grills, gas grills, outdoor TVs, outdoor furniture, and more. “I could have never gotten this store off the ground without her,” he says. “It's truly awesome to have a partner like her to build this with.”
What can people expect when they come to his team for help? “Most know they want their backyard done – but very few know exactly what they want.” Tony and his team sit with clients to help plan their backyard visually so they can see how it will look. The team usually takes three visits to develop a working drawing. “That doesn't mean it won’t change,” he says. “It usually does – and we work through that throughout the project. My goal is to make sure that, when the project is done, they get exactly what they want.”
His advice for people planning their dream backyard is simple. “Get what you want, even if you go over your initial budget. You won't regret it.” He says clients' biggest regret is when they hold back on what they want, and then it’s too late to add it later. Tony stresses that potential clients should book a consultation to get things started. “Our advice is free – and it will help you, even if you don't use us.”
He must have a lot of happy clients taking his advice because, according to Tony, some 90 percent of his customers are referrals. “The thing I like most after a project is finished - the response from clients,” he says. “That's what makes me want to do the next one.” Tony even enjoys the small moments. “One of my favorite customers is a guy who just graduated from college,” he says. “He bought a Green Mountain grill, and once a month on payday, he comes in and gets something else for grilling. I love all of our customers, and I can't wait to work with all of them.”
Tony, who also holds a real estate license, still builds and sells houses while creating beautiful backyards and providing a retail store for people to add their own finishing flourishes. His and Gwyn’s blended family now includes not only their older married kids but four grandkids – with one more on the way.
“We can take you from start to finish,” says Tony, helping clients go from a blank slate to a backyard paradise for his many clients. “I love working with people to make their projects come to life and become something they will love and enjoy as long as they are there.”
“I love working with people to make their projects come to life and become something they will love and enjoy as long as they are there.”
