Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Bonthius.
Kevin, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
After a career in the corporate world, I decided it was finally time to trade the office for the outdoors. I’ve always been happiest with my hands in the dirt, and when a career transition provided the opportunity, I knew I had to follow that passion.
My business was born from a simple realization: many homeowners love the look of a well-maintained garden and yard but lack the time or energy to do the heavy lifting themselves. I specialize in light landscaping and meticulous garden care for residential properties in SW Minneapolis and the surrounding cities and suburbs.
As a sole proprietor, I personally handle every project. I pride myself on being meticulous and exceeding expectations—not just finishing a job, but transforming a space. My business has grown primarily through word-of-mouth and the trust of my neighbors, and I find no greater satisfaction than seeing a client’s face when they see the results of a hard day’s work.
I really enjoy the work and plan to continue doing it for years to come.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My small business journey has been a steady and rewarding climb. The first year focused on building a reputation, refining my pricing models, and establishing core operating processes. One of the most valuable lessons was learning to balance the ‘business’ side—marketing and estimating—with the ‘delivery’ side. By streamlining my scheduling and building a loyal base of repeat customers, I’ve moved from navigating those initial hurdles to running a much more efficient operation.
As you know, we’re big fans of KRB Appeal LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
My business is built on a simple idea: treat every property as if it were my own. I know that most homeowners want a standout yard but don’t want to spend their entire weekend weeding, mulching and managing landscaping projects.
I focus on the “detail work”—the trimming, edging, seasonal clean-ups and other services that truly make a property shine. Basically everything other than regular mowing, heavy landscaping or large tree trimming. Because I’m a small, independent operator, I provide a very personal experience without the pressure of an upsell. I’m meticulous by nature, and I pride myself on clear communication, accurate estimates and incredible results. I’m not just there to do a job; I’m there to make sure customers love the end result.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
It seems that homeowners increasingly want to spend more time outdoors and they want their property to standout in the neighborhood, and I see that trend continuing. I will continue looking for ways to improve operating efficiencies and expanding my equipment resources so that I can provide outstanding service and a positive experience for all of my customers.
Pricing:
- Labor – For every project, a preliminary estimate is provided based on the anticipated scope of work. This estimate is calculated using a standard hourly rate specific to the service being performed. The final invoice will reflect the actual hours worked.
- Materials – I run a ‘labor-plus-procurement’ model. Customers can handle the purchasing of the materials to save money, or they can hire me to source and deliver some or all of the materials for a flat service fee. It allows me to stay competitive on labor-only jobs while getting paid fairly for the logistics and ‘concierge’ work when I handle the sourcing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.krb-appeal.com
- Instagram: @krb_appeal_llc
- Other: Nextdoor: https://nextdoor.com/page/krb-appeal-edina-mn
Image Credits
Allie Bonthius
