Ron McCabe sits down with Todd Blossom, owner of Blossom in Portland, Oregon, to talk about how a values driven landscape company takes shape over time. Ron walks through Todd's early years in the field, what pulled him toward permaculture, and how caring for land, people, and city infrastructure came together in one business. Todd talks about right livelihood, what it means to build a company that matches his life, and how he keeps work grounded in observation instead of trends.

Ron also talks with Todd about the stormwater retrofit work he led with the City of Portland, his move into electric maintenance equipment, and how native plants and lawn conversions support birds, soil, and long term garden health. Todd shares how contracts with the city helped him ride out market swings, why his team now leans on clear systems and SOPs, and what it takes to grow at a steady pace without losing the heart of the company.

Chapters:

1. 00:07 - Learning Through Mistakes in Permaculture
2. 03:38 - The Journey of Growth and Self-Discovery in Landscaping
3. 12:20 - Embracing Permaculture Philosophy
4. 15:08 - The Role of Stormwater Management in Urban Planning
5. 24:14 - Transitioning to Electric Equipment in Landscaping
6. 29:01 - The Importance of Team Dynamics in Business Growth
7. 38:17 - Navigating Business Growth: The Conductor's Role
8. 44:09 - The Importance of Nature in Our Lives
9. 46:07 - Building an Ecological Mindset

1. Blossom (Blossom PDX)
2. City of Portland
3. Greenworks (equipment partner)
4. Bird Alliance (Backyard Habitat Certification Program)

1. Blossom PDX: https://www.blossompdx.com
2. Landscape Business Growth Lab: https://landscapebusinessgrowthlab.com
3. Overbearing Services: https://overbearingservices.com
4. Bird Alliance Backyard Habitat Program: https://birdallianceoregon.org/backyard-habitat-certification-program

Todd Blossom owns and leads Blossom, a Portland based company that focuses on ecologically sound residential and commercial landscapes. His work blends permaculture thinking, stormwater management, native plants, and electric maintenance services. Todd brings decades in the green industry and a...