'Rootiful!' - South Tyneside tree firm marks 10 years in business
‘In South Shields we have this local recognition of some really good businesses here.’
A South Tyneside tree surgeon and arborist firm is marking 10 years in a business which is going from strength to strength.
South Shields outfit The Tree Fella was started in 2016 by arborist Simon Forster and his wife Kaara.
After a tough start and much hard work, the business has taken root, now employing eight people and with a well-earned reputation across South Tyneside and beyond.
The company was recently singled out as a small business success story for the borough. The hope is that a string of new businesses started in South Tyneside over the past 12 months will lead to an upturn for the local economy.
Those businesses can learn from The Tree Fella, whose success is founded on the gradual building of their reputation and hard-won trust.
Sometimes they are asked to look at what a customer thinks is a problem tree, but then have to explain that they have nothing to worry about. This means no immediate business, but the word-of-mouth reputation this creates makes it worthwhile eventually.
The company is marking its 10th anniversary by just getting on with the job. As well as private jobs, they do risk-based work with schools and businesses, cost-effectively managing the risk from the trees.
Simon detects an emerging and successful small business community in his home town.
He said: “In South Shields we have this recognition of some really good businesses here. There are a lot of businesses who recognise each other when they’re driving around. We wave at each other.”
He added: “Over the last few years we’ve managed to take on staff who were losing their jobs from other business.
“We’re building more links with commercial customers and we try really hard to educate homeowners about how trees can be managed and get rid of some myths.
“A lot of people get anxious because they don’t understand trees, which can be big and scary for those people who worry about the damage they can cause.
“I can explain to someone how trees work and give them confidence in the trees. Sometimes you walk away with no business, but you leave someone feeling better about the tree.
“That’s just as rewarding and then the business comes further down the line through word-of-mouth.”