Life & Work with Luke Thompson of Caledonia

Today we’d like to introduce you to Luke Thompson.

Hi Luke, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
We got started back in 2010 down in Hillsdale County — that’s where I grew up. I’ve known since middle school that landscaping was what I wanted to do, so I spent a lot of time learning everything I could. I worked for different companies, tried out different roles, and got to see a lot of sides of the industry.

In 2012, I ended up moving to Grand Rapids. I had a bunch of friends from the Marine Corps up here, and I was spending most of my time in the area anyway, so it just made sense to make the move.

When we first started the business, we took on pretty much any kind of landscaping work we could get — and honestly, that helped us build a strong foundation. Over time though, we’ve really focused in on what we do best: stormwater and drainage solutions, hardscaping, and landscape installations.

We’re based in Caledonia now and continuing to grow. Our goal is to be known as the go-to team for top-quality landscape installations and great customer service in West Michigan.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road — there have been a lot of lessons learned the hard way. Early on, I struggled with communication, especially keeping customers updated the way they deserved. I’ve also had challenges with building the right team and figuring out what kind of people fit best with our culture. And like a lot of small business owners, I had to learn how to properly price our work — understanding what it really takes to run a business and make it sustainable. Each of those challenges taught me something important and helped shape how we operate today.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We specialize in stormwater and drainage systems, along with creating outdoor spaces that bring families and friends together. Those two areas really go hand in hand — because honestly, nothing ruins a property faster than water problems.

Stormwater and drainage work is especially important here in West Michigan. We live in such a wet area that if the water isn’t managed properly, it can lead to serious issues for a home and even affect a family’s health and quality of life.

On the other side of that, the outdoor living spaces we create really focus on improving people’s lives too — getting families outside, spending time together, and reconnecting with nature. In today’s world, that’s something a lot of people are missing, and we love being part of helping them build that kind of space.

We’ve also become known for our unique designs and high-quality builds that are made to last a lifetime — or longer. Most of the time, the only reason our clients make changes down the road is because their lifestyle or space needs have evolved, not because anything failed.

What I’m most proud of is the quality of our work. It truly stands out, and I think that’s what sets us apart from the competition

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I am a huge Civil war nerd and spend a lot of time reading and understanding more and more about that time in history. You will often catch me reading biographies on generals or other people from the war. I usually will watch the movies Gettysburg and Son of the Morning Star on the anniversary of the battle.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://torchwoodlandscaping.com/?utm_source=organic&utm_medium=gmb&utm_campaign=gmb&utm_id=GMB
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/torchwoodlandscaping/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/torchwoodlandscapingMI