Amber Delehanty didn’t set out to become an ISA-certified arborist and the owner of Simply Trees LLC. But she did grow up in an entrepreneurial family that inspired a long-standing desire to own her own business.
“My dad was an irrigation specialist and ever since I was four years old, I can remember going to work with him and playing in a driveway with pipes,” she says. After graduating high school, she worked at her father’s company for nearly seven years.
Then, in 2014, after graduating from Ringling College of Art and Design with a BFA in Architectural Interior Design, she set out to explore that career. “I worked for a few architects, but I didn’t feel it was rewarding enough for me,” she said.
Around the same time, she met an arborist who introduced her to working with trees and that’s when she knew she had found her calling. “We started the company from the ground up in 2015. We really went out on a limb to do it, and we struggled in the beginning,” says Amber. “But I’ve always had that entrepreneurial mindset and we both had a passion for the work,” she adds.
That passion is shared by all of Amber's 17 employees and is one of the qualities in Simply Trees’ “Core Values” mission statement. As Amber says, “We build from our integrity, honesty, passion, and education, and make sure it is a fun workspace.”
The company also strictly adheres to all industry standards for safety. “This is one of the most unsafe jobs, but we make sure to mitigate those risks as best we can,” she says. Senior Risk Manager Paul Warinner is on board to make sure the Simply Trees’ team always wears proper safety equipment that meets OSHA and ANSI standards.
GROWING THE BUSINESS
The company’s first employee, who came on board in 2015, was Joseph Vibonese. “We met Joseph when he was on the road pushing his motorcycle. We helped him get home and then gave him a job. Joseph is a big asset to our company,” says Amber. Now Joe is Simply Tree’s General Manager and Technical Climber. More recently, in 2020, Amber hired industry veteran Edward Bingle. “Ed and his family are our dear friends, and he is an absolute gem.” An arborist for more than 25 years, Ed is also an international trainer and has great business management skills. “Since we brought Ed on, we have more than doubled in size.”
Amber hones her own business skills by consulting with business management coach Dane DeSantis. “Dane is a huge influencer who encourages me and has a lot of knowledge to help keep the company on track,” she says.
She has also launched two new companies in the past three years. Tree Biotics LLC, (treebioticsfl.com) is co-owned by Amber, Ed Bingle, and his wife Heather Bingle. It has offered Plant Health Care (PHC) and landscaping services since September 2020. ZKE Hauling (zkehauling.com) was set up in June 2021 to remove large horticulture debris using a grapple arm, and to clear lot vegetation.
KIDS, DEVOTION & FUN
When asked how she manages three companies, and three young children, Amber points to a strict routine that helps her stay grounded and focused, and to a nanny who looks after “the kiddos".
“Most days I get up between 3:30 and 4:00 AM to work out and I get to the office by 6:00 AM. I also have my daily devotions – my faith is super important.” A crucial part of her routine is to leave work at work, as best she can, so she can give the kids her full attention.
Being intentional with her children also includes going on awesome, snow-filled vacations. “My biggest passion for a hobby is snowboarding and the kids love it too. We go on snow trips to Colorado and have long wanted to snowboard in Japan.
With a motto like ‘work hard, play harder or hardest,’ it’s likely that wish will come true.
Passion (for the work) is one of the qualities in Simply Trees’ “Core Values” mission statement. As Amber says, “We build from our integrity, honesty, passion, and education, and make sure it is a fun workspace.”