When Nasim Landscaping began its rapid rise just a few years ago, Niwar Nasim didn’t have a blueprint for building a high-performing company—he built one from the ground up. Now, as he prepares to join the “Do’s and Don’ts of a Growing Company” panel at the Lawn & Landscape Business Builders Summit this May in Nashville, he’s not just offering growth tips. He’s offering honesty.
“I’ve made more good decisions than bad—but I’ve definitely made some bad ones,” Niwar laughs. “And I think that’s what people appreciate. I don’t sugarcoat anything.”
At the heart of his message is a powerful idea: growth doesn’t happen by accident. It takes the right people, the right tools, and the right mindset.
“That’s when the magic happens,” he says. “Good people, good processes, good software—when all of that is working together, you can do something special.”
Getting Real About Growth
Niwar’s landscaping company has experienced remarkable growth, drawing national attention—and invitations to speak—because of its trajectory. But he’s quick to point out that scaling a business isn’t just about what goes right.
“There’s a lot of pain behind the scenes,” he says. “It’s not just what you see on social media. People post the wins, not the late nights, the tough conversations, or the stress of getting it right.”
In true Nasim fashion, his upcoming panel won’t just hit the highlights. Expect a deep dive into mistakes made, lessons learned, and what he’d do differently. And if you’re struggling with hiring—join the club.
“I think hiring is the number one thing that most companies overlook early on,” Niwar explains. “Not just hiring for skills, but for alignment, for mindset. There are tools and assessments out there that can help—like the Culture Index—and they’ve been transformational for me.”
The People, the Process, the Tech
Niwar’s not shy about naming the three pillars that changed the game for his business:
- People: “If you don’t have the right people in the right seats, you’re going to stall. Period,” he says. He emphasizes hiring growth-minded individuals who thrive in fast-moving environments. “You can’t grow if your team is content standing still.”
- Process: Building solid systems—whether for operations, hiring, or finance—was critical. “At a certain point, I realized I was the bottleneck. I had to get out of the day-to-day and start working on the business instead of in it.”
- Technology: Niwar understands the value of choosing tools that provide visibility and drive efficiency. “We’re always looking for software that gives us better data or helps us make better decisions faster. You can’t scale flying blind.”
Advice for the Earlier Version of Himself
If he could go back to the beginning? “I would’ve gotten into a peer group and worked with a consultant a lot sooner,” Niwar says. “But honestly, I couldn’t afford it at the time. So it became a question of when I could afford it—how fast could I get to that point?”
He reflects on the early days with a mix of pride and pragmatism. “I was too comfortable being an owner-operator. I liked being in the business, but from a growth standpoint, I was in my own way.”
Who Should Attend His Session?
While the summit attracts a range of business owners—from early-stage to established operators—Niwar’s insights resonate across the board.
“I’ve had conversations with companies way bigger than mine who still aren’t even using tools like the Culture Index or haven’t built a real hiring system,” he says. “It’s not about size. It’s about intention.”
He adds, “Whether you’re just starting or thinking about an M&A deals, the principles are the same. People, process, tools. That’s how you scale.”
Come with Questions—Leave with Action Steps
Niwar hopes attendees walk away from his session with concrete takeaways—tools to try, consultants to call, books to read.
“I want people to leave with something specific they can implement the week after the Summit,” he says. “I’ll talk about what worked for me and what didn’t. And I’ll be real about it.”
One of the most impactful questions he’s been asked recently—by M&A advisor Jeff Hartness—was deceptively simple: “Is this all worth it?”
“It hit me hard,” Niwar says. “But yes, it absolutely is. I came to this country as a refugee with nothing. Now, I’ve been able to build something meaningful—for my family, for my team, and for my community. There’s pain along the way, but the reward is real.”
For those attending the Lawn & Landscape Business Builders Summit, Niwar’s panel session promises to be more than just a highlight reel. It’s a raw, real look at what it actually takes to build a business that lasts—and the kind of leader you have to become to get there.