While some 18-year-olds across Loveland are still figuring out what to do through the summer, one recent Loveland High School graduate and 18-year-old entrepreneur has found a passion in creating outdoor landscapes for homeowners to relax in and enjoy.
Sam Huhta is the owner of NOCO Landscape, a landscaping company that works across the Loveland, Fort Collins and Greeley area to provide a “streamlined service so you can have your landscaping the way you want it — with no hassle,” according to the company’s website.
While he found enjoyment in providing landscaping work at a young age, he has worked for the last several years to build up his company to provide landscaping work across Northern Colorado.
He said that he has grown his company to include eight employees plus himself, bringing in around $50,000 a month, something he didn’t expect to happen after starting it following his departure from a fast food job.
“I didn’t have any intention of growing or hiring anybody,” he said.
Huhta said that while he graduated from Loveland High this spring, he also spent two years attending classes at Front Range Community College. He said that when he goes to his first year at the University of Wyoming in the fall, while he will be technically a freshman he will have the credits of a junior.
He said that while he isn’t sure exactly where his company will go from here, he has put a lot of time into the local landscaping group that he has created.
How did you get interested in landscaping in the first place?
Like any other neighborhood kid, I started by mowing lawns with my good friend, Jude. As we began to build a client list, there was an apparent need for yard work among Loveland residents. Within the first five months, we began securing contracts with real estate agents to prepare houses for going on the market. As the yardwork began to evolve into landscaping, I knew my passion lay in creating outdoor spaces tailored to the client’s needs.
What made you want to start your own landscaping business?
I am very fortunate to have found my passion for entrepreneurship at a very young age. Between the ages of 11-13, I sourced and branded a line of a bicycle grips. If you’re a longtime resident, you might have seen them in local bike shops. From there, I tried everything from e-commerce to 3D printing products. Eventually, I found a line of work I thoroughly enjoy.
To you, what is the most difficult process when a client asks you for landscaping work?
A majority of our contracts are design-build jobs in new construction. Contracts like this can be challenging in many ways, but especially in the transition between design and build phases. Communicating measurements and making sure that the crew has a clear understanding of what to do was a large part of the initial growing pains. I am very fortunate to have a phenomenal team, including our project manager, Connor Patrick, who has been a large part in overcoming this challenge.
Why do you enjoy creating landscaping pieces?
From design to build, each job is usually in the works for three months. Showing up to a field of dirt, and working alongside the client to create an outdoor space from rendering to reality is truly a feeling you cannot explain. A mix of excitement, pride and pure joy comes with the finish of every single contract I am fortunate enough to be trusted with.
What are your tips for Loveland residents wanting to have the best yard this summer?
Be unique! Don’t do what everyone else is doing, use your yard as an expression of yourself. With the proper design, infused with personality, you can create more than a patch of grass. You can create a place you look forward to spending time in.
Sam Huhta
Age: 18.
Time in the area: 18 years.
Title at NOCO Landscape: Owner.
How to reach you for landscaping work: Visit nocolandscape.com or email [email protected].