Minnesota Sodding Company (MSC) has been around for a long time. In 1993, Dana and Tom Groh founded MSC in Welch, MN, based on a common love of turfgrass — and they haven’t looked back since. Today, their 28-person team handles commercial sod, seed, and erosion control installation, plus athletic field maintenance and renovations, for clients across the Twin Cities metro and beyond.

Behind every successful business are passionate individuals who drive growth and push for excellence. Part of staying successful is adapting to changes in the market and being willing to update your processes. In 2004, Tom could (and did) craft $400k estimates on a napkin. As the industry evolved, Tom and Dana could no longer rely on raw talent — they needed accurate numbers. In 2013, they teamed up with LMN to transform their operations.

With a newfound clarity in their quotes, Dana and Tom were able to supercharge their profitability. They went from earning a 3% profit at most to earning 16%. And the growth didn’t stop at margin — MSC has grown from an under-$1 million company in 2014 to a business now chasing $10 million this year.

“Most people say ‘when you’re growing, you’re not profitable.’ But we’ve been profitable the whole way.”

Being close to a growing metro area gives MSC a built-in advantage, and they’ve set themselves up to travel to other markets when the work calls for it. But growth brings its own daily test: getting jobs ready on time and handing projects off cleanly between teams.

One spring, MSC was working on a high-end baseball field installation. Day two brought rain — all day, no letting up. The soil held, and the crew laid every square foot of sod that had been delivered that day anyway. Even with the weather working against them, the team kept a positive attitude and their sense of humor intact. That’s the kind of steadiness LMN is built to support: the numbers stay solid even when the forecast doesn’t cooperate.

Dana and Tom point to a few numbers and systems they lean on every day. Revenue per hour in LMN is one of their favorites to track, and the Operating Budget gives them a way to build out scenarios as they plan for growth. Having years of estimate and job history in one place, they say, is priceless. Greenius rounds things out as the hub for all things training. Alongside LMN and Greenius, QuickBooks, Google Sheets, and Leanscaper round out the toolkit that keeps MSC organized and profitable.

Today, MSC stands as a beacon of excellence in the landscape industry, boasting a team of seasoned professionals and certifications that show their commitment to quality. MSC is the only commercial company in Minnesota with multiple STMA Certified Sports Field Managers and has been recognized as a Woman-Owned Business and a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise.

We here at Granum are honored to be partners with Minnesota Sodding Company and to see their journey — from 3% to 16% net profit, and from under $1 million in revenue to a $10 million goal they’re chasing down this year. Their story is about more than the numbers though. It’s about innovation, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

Dana and Tom wanted to be part of the Break Records Tour to share how Granum has helped MSC evolve — and to give back to an industry they’re proud to be part of. They know what it feels like to be overwhelmed or unsure of what’s next, and they want fellow green industry operators to see that there’s a place to network, and there’s opportunity out there.

Their hope for attendees: come dream about where your business can go with the right tools — and the right people — around you.

We can’t wait to see what’s next for MSC.