Mike Hoffman with his family at Kent Greenhouse & Gardens.
Meet Mike Hoffman, a local Dad of three and the founder of Hoffman Landscapes. He started the business as a way to pay for tuition at Clemson University. Today, his award-wining company has built up a popular following with clients all over Fairfield and Litchfield Counties in CT, as well as Westchester County in NY. Learn more about Mike, his family and what inspired him to start his own business.
How many children do you have and what are their ages?
I have three children…Daniel 29, Matthew 27, and Heidi 22.
Did you grow up in the area?
I grew up on the East Coast. My dad worked for IBM, so we moved a lot…Poughkeepsie NY, Greenville SC, Columbia SC (twice), and Atlanta Georgia (twice). My parents moved to Connecticut from Georgia when I was a junior in high school, but I stayed behind and moved to Connecticut after I graduated. Connecticut has been home base since then.
Where do you live now and what is the best thing about town?
We moved to Redding from Wilton in 2003 and we love the community here. The town is very rural, with large tracts of land protected by the Redding Land Trust and Aquarion Water Company, and the residents are super friendly. I served four years on the Zoning Commission and recently completed eight years on the Board of Education. I am personally invested in making sure Redding is a great place to live.
What is your favorite activity to do in the area?
We like to take walks at Collis P. Huntington State Park, Putnam Memorial State Park, and on the many trails maintained by the Redding Land Trust and other community organizations.
Please tell us about your business and when you started Hoffman Landscapes.
I started Hoffman Landscapes in 1987 as a way to pay for tuition at Clemson University. For the first four years, I focused almost exclusively on tree pruning and removal, serving clients in Connecticut, and when I was away at school, in South Carolina. Then I added property care services, and soon after, design-build. The company has grown every year since, and today, we have over two hundred dedicated associates serving clients and Fairfield and Litchfield Counties in CT, and Westchester County in NY.
Do your kids or other family members help with the business?
My children have worked for Hoffman Landscapes and Kent Greenhouse & Gardens at some point, but all three chose different career paths. Daniel is an Archaeologist and works for SWCA Environmental Consultants in Tucson AZ, Matthew is a Marine Engineer and works for Seadrill Limited on the West Auriga drillship in the Gulf of Mexico, and Heidi is a Nurse and works for the Mayo Clinic in their Neuroscience department in Jacksonville, FL.
Most unique project?
There are really too many to list here. Some of my favorites are:
Sherman, CT Swimming Pool Construction – We designed and built a swimming partway down a cliff in a location that seemed impossible initially. The pool, patio, access pathways, and plantings all ended up looking so nice.
New Canaan, CT Property Care – We are lucky to care for some of the most beautiful properties in New Canaan. I don’t think I could pick just one!
Darien, CT Raised Rear Patio – We designed and built a raised patio at a property in Darien where we transformed a steep, unusable back yard into a beautiful space that became an extension of the home’s living spaces with an outdoor kitchen, seating areas, a gas firepit, and a gorgeous stainless-steel spa.
Sherman, CT Swimming Pool Construction
Darien, CT Raised Rear Patio
Favorite part of the job?
Hearing from customers that are enjoying the outdoor spaces that we build and maintain.
Helping associates advance in their career and talents.
Meeting other landscape business owners and helping them in any way that I can.
We like to support local businesses. What are your favorite places in the area to:
Have dinner: Barnwood Grill (Newtown) and Riko’s Pizza (Fairfield)
Grab a drink with friends: Red Rooster Pub (Wilton)
Have a date night: Barcelona Wine Bar (Fairfield),
Spend time together as a family: Huntington State Park (Redding/Bethel/Newtown), Norwalk River Valley Trail(Norwalk, Wilton, Ridgefield, Redding, Danbury), and in the vegetable garden in our back yard!
Grab coffee: Dunkin’ (anywhere!)
Workout: Home
The Hoffman family on a trip to Peru when the children were younger.