BILL FLEMING
Fleming Landscape & Irrigation, Inc.
7301 St Vincent Ave Shreveport, LA 71106
(318) 219-2550
www.fleminglandscapeandirrigation.net
Bill Fleming, owner of Fleming Landscape and Irrigation Inc., learned the value of a hard work ethic at a young age. “I started working for my father’s irrigation business during the summer of 1974. “At 15 years old I ran an irrigation installation crew until I graduated from college in 1985.” Those early years of working with his father lead him to open his own business. “I started my own irrigation business (Fleming Irrigation) in 2004. In 2009, I added my landscape division, and changed the name to Fleming Landscape & Irrigation, Inc,” said Fleming. Fleming Landscape & Irrigation is a landscape and irrigation design build firm. They specialize in residential and large scale commercial work in Louisiana, and Texas. It was a natural fit for Fleming to add the landscape side to his already thriving irrigation business. “Our main business was always large residential and large commercial irrigation, but I have also been a licensed landscape contractor for nearly 25 years. “In 2009 we started the landscaping division which has pretty much doubled our business. We have an in-house architect, project managers - we do anything you can think of landscape-wise. Parks, patios, outdoor kitchens - from residential to large scale commercial,” he said. “For over forty years, we worked with most every landscape company in Shreveport, which was both positive and negative. The positives are obvious, more sales opportunities, solid working relationships, etc… The negatives are that as a business you are always waiting and dependent on others to finish work before you can start your work. Being more efficient and in control of our work load and schedules are the main reasons I started my landscape division,” he said. “It’s been a seamless jump for us.” Fleming Landscape & Irrigation has become a generational business, as Fleming’s son Patrick is now part of the team. “Patrick is 21 and has been around the family business and decided to start helping me out. When we started the landscape business it was a perfect fit for him, and he is a project manager for me now. I worked with my dad for 30 years, and it’s great having Patrick working with me,” Fleming said. Fleming and his wife Somar have been married for 28 years and have four children; Anthony, 27, Heather, 24, Patrick, 21 and Morgan, 17.
As a seasoned business owner, Fleming offers up some sage advice to anyone thinking of opening their own business. “My advice would be to know your product or services well. Learn every aspect of the business, and be able to provide the services yourself, before relying on others. Learn what you’re true costs of doing business are, and understand how these costs relate to your ability to make a profit,” he said. Fleming Landscape & Irrigation is a labor of love for Fleming, who is grateful to clients. “My favorite part of my business has always been my customers. Meeting new people and keeping up with customers I’ve had for years has been fun.” For more information on Fleming Landscape & Irrigation, Inc. call (318) 219-2550 or visit their website at www. fleminglandscapeandirrigation.net.
