Posted
on Monday, November 4, 2024
in
Small Business Spotlights
Small Business Spotlight: From Father to Son
Malek's Lawn & Tree Service was started in 1993 by Gary Malek. Shane Malek, Gary's son, worked part-time during high school and then started full-time after graduating in 1996. When Gary retired in 2010, Shane took over as the business owner.
Gary Malek had always had an entrepreneurial spirit and enjoyed working outdoors. They started the business because they saw a genuine need in their community for reliable, high-quality lawn and tree care services. Throughout the years, the company has grown and transformed as they now provide crane services, snow removal services, stump grinding, and lawn spraying. In Shane's words, "My father and I shared a strong work ethic and a commitment to doing things the right way, so starting this business felt like a natural fit. We wanted to provide a service that people could trust - where each project was completed with care and attention to detail. Opening this business together allowed us to combine our skills and work towards a shared goal. IT has been incredibly rewarding to serve our community and see the positive impact our work has on the environment and our client's lives."
Shane has particularly enjoyed the independence and flexibility that comes with owning your own business. They have the freedom to make decisions that align with their values and the flexibility to balance work with other priorities in their lives. This independence allows them to adjust to their client's needs and focus on what they think matters most. Shane has also appreciated the opportunity he had to work alongside his father and current team that brings a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose that makes the toughest days worthwhile. He also enjoys the relationships that they build with their clients. Over the years, many of them have become friends and providing a service that they are happy with is very rewarding.
To the Malek's, Garner is home. It has always been a close-knit community that values hard work, integrity, and relationships - values that are important to their business as well. They saw the need here for dependable lawn and tree services and felt that they could make a real impact by serving the community they know and love. Garner has also been a place where people genuinely care about their homes and the environment around them. They wanted to be a part of enhancing that pride by helping people keep their properties looking beautiful and well-maintained. Opening a business here in Garner gave them the opportunity to contribute directly to the community's growth and well-being, and they are grateful every day for the trust their clients place in us. Shane states, "There's no better place for us to do what we love than right here in Garner where my family lives."
The Malek's have been working with Reliance State Bank since the very beginning, as Shane even opened his first checking account here. They enjoy the loyalty that they have found in RSB and appreciate the strong, personal relationship they've built over the years with their team. "Reliance State Bank has always been more than just a bank to us - they're partners in our success. Their commitment to understanding our business and our goals has made a huge difference, whether we needed support for expanding our services, upgrading equipment, or just navigating the day-to-day needs of running a small business. We trust RSB because they're as dedicated to our community as we are. Knowing we have a financial partner who genuinely cares about our growth and well-being allows us to focus on what we do best, and it's one of the reasons we're so proud to call Garner home," Shane says.
The Malek's says Reliance State Bank has been instrumental in helping them grow their business over the years. Shane says, "They played a key role when we expanded to our current location, providing the support and resources we needed to make that move. As our business has grown, they've also helped us with financing to purchase new equipment, allowing us to offer more services and operate efficiently."
Malek's Tree & Lawn Service has valued RSB's ability to offer genuine guidance and flexibility that's tailored to their needs, which has been invaluable to them. They appreciate knowing they have a trusted partner who's as invested in their success, so they can focus on delivering quality services to the community. As Shane says, "Reliance State Bank's commitment to local businesses like ours has truly made a difference in our journey."