EO San Diego Podcast: Episode 1 with Joey Eves – From Pickup Truck to Million Dollar Company
Building a successful business isn’t just about hard work—it’s about making the right moves, taking risks, and surrounding yourself with the right people. Joey Eves, founder of Rancho Coastal Tree, went from climbing trees with a chainsaw and a pickup truck to scaling a multi-million dollar business.
His journey is filled with big decisions, unexpected challenges, and lessons learned the hard way—including why joining Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) changed everything.
This is his story…
From Small-Town Farm Life to San Diego Entrepreneur
Joey’s story starts in a small farm town in Ohio, where opportunities were limited. He knew he wanted more, so the first chance he got, he left—joining the Navy.
His first stop? San Diego, California.
After serving, he bounced between Ohio and California, eventually landing in Los Angeles to work in the music industry for 10 years. But despite the glamour of LA, something was missing.
He needed a change—and he found it in an unexpected place.
From Craigslist Gig to Tree Care Business Owner
Looking for work, Joey stumbled across a Craigslist ad:
“Will train to climb trees.”
That sounded interesting. So, with no prior experience, he jumped in.
“I needed a job, but I fell in love with the industry.”
Arboriculture wasn’t just about cutting trees—it was a blend of science, skill, and the outdoors. What started as a temporary job quickly became a passion.
He didn’t start with a grand business plan—just a pickup truck, a chainsaw, and his dog. But as he worked, he saw the potential.
In 2013, he made it official—buying his first truck and chipper and hiring his first employee.
Rancho Coastal Tree was born.
Hitting a Ceiling: The Struggles of Scaling a Business
For the first few years, Joey hustled and grew his business to just under $500,000 in revenue.
Then, he hit a wall.
No matter what he did, he couldn’t break through the next level. He needed new strategies, new systems, and new ways of thinking.
That’s when he found EO.
How EO Transformed His Business
At first, Joey didn’t qualify for EO—his business wasn’t making $1M yet. So, he joined the EO Accelerator Program, designed for businesses working toward that milestone.
EO Accelerator gave him:
- A structured path to growth—focused on cash, finance, strategy, and people.
- Connections to other entrepreneurs who were also scaling their businesses.
- A framework for breaking through $1M in revenue.
Within two years, he hit $1M, graduated from Accelerator, and became a full EO member.
That’s when things really took off.
The Power of EO: What Changed for Joey
1. Game-Changing Connections
EO isn’t just about networking—it’s about deep relationships with like-minded entrepreneurs.
“The biggest benefit is the connections—not just business deals, but real relationships with people who push you to grow.”
2. Learning From Those Who’ve Been There
Instead of figuring everything out the hard way, Joey got insights from entrepreneurs who had already walked the path.
Through EO, he learned how to:
- Scale his team without chaos.
- Manage cash flow effectively.
- Lead at a higher level.
3. The Right Mindset for Growth
EO helped Joey stop working in the business and start working on it.
“I had to get out of my own way. EO helped me think bigger, smarter, and more strategically.”
The Big Leap: Acquiring Another Business
With EO’s guidance, Joey scaled to $2M in revenue. Then, an EO member introduced him to an acquisition opportunity—another tree care business for sale.
The deal doubled the size of Rancho Coastal Tree overnight.
But it wasn’t smooth sailing.
The Challenges of Buying Another Business
1. No Real Integration Plan
“We had an idea of how it would go, but once we got in, everything changed.”
Without a strong integration team, problems surfaced immediately.
2. Merging Two Completely Different Cultures
•His original company was a tight-knit, family-like team.
•The acquired company had been around for 50 years with old habits and long-time employees.
“They were set in their ways. We had to blend two cultures that didn’t naturally fit.”
For months, there was conflict and resistance. It took intentional effort to break barriers and unify the teams.
3. Duplicate Roles & Tough Firing Decisions
Buying another business meant duplicate employees—two office managers, two production managers, too many salespeople.
At first, he tried to keep everyone, even creating new roles to fit people in.
That was a mistake.
“I ignored what EO taught me—never build a seat around a person; build the seat first, then find the right person.”
Eventually, he had to let people go.
“As soon as I made the tough calls, profitability went up, morale improved, and the team became stronger.”
It was painful—but necessary.
The Exit: Selling Rancho Coastal Tree
As Rancho Coastal Tree continued to grow, private equity firms took notice.
Multiple offers came in. After weighing his options, Joey decided to sell—a decision that accelerated his 10-year life plan into a 2-3 year plan.
What Entrepreneurs Need to Know About Selling a Business
1. Trust Your Gut
“If something doesn’t feel right, don’t do it.”
2. Build the Right Team for the Deal
Selling a business isn’t just about signing a contract—you need:
- A strong M&A attorney.
- A tax attorney.
- A solid CPA.
“The fine print can kill a deal. Surround yourself with experts.”
3. Have a Clear Transition Plan
Joey will stay on for two years under the new ownership to ensure a smooth transition.
What’s Next for Joey?
After his transition period, he and his wife plan to move to Portugal and start a bed & breakfast with a yoga studio and community garden.
It’s a complete lifestyle shift—one made possible by years of building, learning, and taking strategic risks.
Final Advice for Entrepreneurs
Trying to scale your business? GET INVOLVED WITH EO.
