ALEX GEBRU WAS STUMPED. His trucking company had been squeezed dry by years of rising gas prices. The war in Ukraine? The last nail in the coffin.
Shift gears, or perish. Alex’s options were clear. Never one to throw in the towel, he changed course toward something truckers are traditionally advised to avoid.
“Trees,” said Alex. “I spoke to a childhood friend who had already been working in that industry. I also spoke with my mentor, and some of my business associates who had done FEMA contracts before. They all pointed me toward the same glowing opportunity: trees.”
Having seen the forest for what really matters, Alex proceeded to go all in. “When I bet on myself, I commit. I dive deep,” said Alex. “I sold all but one of my semis. I took classes with Hennepin County, MnDOT, and the Knutson Alliance Program. I leaned hard on my amazing professional network. And if I had any downtime, I’d spend it studying my new greatest passion.”
High School of Recording Arts. A1 Tree & Stump Removal’s second project since its establishment in September, 2023. Twenty-two trees; a big undertaking for any tree and stump removal company, let alone a nascent one. “It was also a big turning point,” noted Alex. “I’m lucky to have tackled such an ambitious project early on. The team breezed through it, really, and I used the proceeds to go all in yet again. A pickup. A trailer. A skid steer. Way more chainsaws than I originally thought we needed. We were now fully equipped!
“Of course, all those tools aren’t of much use without the right hands. I took care to staff A1 Tree & Stump Removal with people who share the same values that have carried me this far, and which I want every project to reflect. These are people who would go the extra mile for any client, and show them they genuinely matter. They’re also fully qualified to do their tough jobs.
“I’ve done my best to learn this business inside and out, but no amount of study can substitute for decades of consistent, hands-on experience. That’s why I’m blessed to call Chris my foreman. He’s been in the tree care industry for 35 years, and can recommend the best course of action for any challenge confronting residential or commercial property owners.”
“Proper tree care does require a great deal of skill,” added Chris. “Different species call for different trimming and pruning techniques, and only during certain times of year if they’re to stay healthy. They’re also vulnerable to different pests and diseases. By quickly determining the source and extent of its health issue, we’re able to confidently advise whether a tree can be saved or not. There’s always a solution. Whether it’s ash borer, birch bug, or oak wilt, we’ll help you choose your best path forward.”
“We’ll also make that path convenient,” Alex continued. “Just call us. You’ll speak with Dailyn Hall, our office manager, to set up a time when Chris or I can stop by. We never provide a quote for a project we haven’t investigated firsthand. No two properties’ trees, obstacles, and safety hazards are ever alike, so we need to do our homework before helping you make an informed decision.
“We’ll walk you through your project, on a day-by-day basis if needed. We’ll send you our workers’ comp and insurance information if you request it. We’ll call a day or two ahead of time to remind you of our arrival. We’ll inform your neighbors of the brief commotion we’re going to introduce to your street. We’ll give you a discount if you’re a first-time customer, first responder, veteran, or senior, or if your property is within 10 miles of our Bloomington headquarters. And once we’ve finished, and the clean-up is all taken care of? We’ll give you a gift bag – just a little something extra to show you how much we appreciate you.
“A1 Tree & Stump Removal may only be three years old, but it has already given me a lot to be grateful for. Doing right by my neighbors, and superior work that makes my community visibly prettier? That’s just the start of it. I’m creating jobs that support and feed multiple families. I’ve witnessed this business’s impact on my own flesh and blood, too. My nephew Danny Desalegne has grown into a fine young man since joining me fresh out of high school. Watching him fully embrace hard work is a matter of special personal pride to me, as I hope you might imagine.
“I also hope to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. By engaging with my community, such as by speaking at Bethel University’s Business Camp program, I get to show young people just how many opportunities they really have. Landscaping. Construction. Tree care, even if that means we’ll become competitors someday. So long as you have a whole lot of hustle and a whole lot of heart, you will make it. My dream is to turn A1 Tree & Stump Removal into the greatest proof of that!”
Call (612) 505-5903 or visit A1TreeAndStumpRemoval.com to request your FREE estimate!
- Tree removal
- Land and lot clearing
- Tree health assessment
- Tree trimming and pruning
- Emergency storm response
- Stump grinding and removal
- Debris removal and disposal
- Commercial clearing and grubbing