NAME: JOSH MARTIE

Job: President and Co-owner, Scott's Landscaping, Garden Center & Exterior Lighting at 5515 Old Collinsville Road in Fairview Heights (632-9338)

Outlook: "Scott's has a good reputation, so we're trying to keep that reputation and expand on it."

Josh Martie stepped in to succeed Scott Hesse's landscaping business. The business that bears the founders' name has been in Fairview Heights for the past 23 years and under new ownership since last summer. New co-owner Josh Martie recently sat down with business writer Will Buss to talk about the transition and the business under his direction:

Why did you buy this business?

"I worked for Scott for 12 years. I just always enjoyed working outside and doing landscaping. I went to (Southwestern Illinois College) to get a background in horticulture and landscape design. For the past five years, I was doing the design part for Scott. Scott was ready to get out because his kids were getting a little bit older and he wanted to have a little bit more time to go and visit his kids in college."

When did he establish his business?

"He has been in business since 1990."

When did you take over?

"My father-in-law (Dan Fieker) and myself bought the business in July."

What has been your focus since you bought the business?

"We're trying to concentrate on bringing in more stock than we've had in the past. We are trying to improve our customer service and the quality of what we do, which has always been great, but we want to expand on that do even better job, if we can. Probably our biggest change is that we are going to do fencing. We are going to sell fences, wood and vinyl."

What have you enjoyed the most about your new role?

"Working for myself. Being self employed. I previously did a lawn and landscape company for myself for a couple of years in between working for Scott. I ran it out of O'Fallon. I did it on a lot smaller scale than this. I always wanted to own and run my own business."

Any goals for the business on the horizon?

"We'd really like to do more sprinklers. It's something we've offered in the past, but we haven't done a lot of, yet. We'd really like to expand on doing more sprinklers. I'd also say we're looking at selling (barbecue) grills down the road. That's something we're actively looking for. We're trying to be more of a one-stop shop. If somebody buys a home, they could come and get everything they need done outside."

Contact reporter Will Buss at wbuss@bnd.com or 239-2526.